2 attempts to 'kill' Donald Trump in 2 months: How it may impact US presidential elections

TOI World Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Sep 16, 2024, 16:12 IST

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Former President Donald Trump survived another assassination attempt while golfing in West Palm Beach, Florida. The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, was arrested after fleeing the scene. This marks the second such incident in two months and raises serious concerns about political violence and security measures for former presidents amid the ongoing presidential campaign.

2 attempts to 'kill' Donald Trump in 2 months: How it may impact US presidential elections

Police officers direct traffic near Trump International Golf Club after the apparent assassination attempt of Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump in West Palm Beach, Florida.

On September 15, 2024, an apparent assassination attempt was made on former President Donald Trump while he was golfing in West Palm Beach, Florida. This incident follows a previous attempt on his life at a rally in Pennsylvania in July. Fortunately, Trump was unharmed, and the suspect was apprehended.
Driving the news

The FBI described the incident as an "attempted assassination," marking the second time in two months that Trump has been targeted. The attack occurred while Trump was golfing, prompting swift action from the Secret Service, which fired at the assailant before he fled the scene.
The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, of Hawaii, was armed with an AK-47-style rifle with a scope and was hiding in the bushes near the edge of the golf course. According to local law enforcement, Routh was spotted about 400 to 500 yards from Trump. He fled the scene but was apprehended shortly after by sheriff's deputies on Interstate 95.
This latest attempt on Trump’s life occurred just two months after he was shot at during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where he sustained a minor injury to his right ear. The Pennsylvania incident left one rally attendee dead and two others critically injured, raising urgent concerns about Trump’s security as he campaigns for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

Also read: Donald Trump safe after gunshots nearby, FBI calls incident 'apparent assassination attempt'
Why it matters

This assassination attempt intensifies ongoing concerns about political violence in the US, especially amid the ongoing presidential campaign. Given Trump’s polarizing role in American politics, these incidents underscore the heightened risks faced by presidential candidates in an increasingly charged political environment.
The recurrence of such attempts is alarming, particularly as Trump continues to hold public events and rallies. The fact that Routh, armed with a semi-automatic rifle, was able to get within shooting distance of Trump again raises serious questions about the level of protection being provided. Trump’s status as a former president, rather than a sitting one, has led to a lighter security detail, but his public visibility and controversial nature make him an ongoing target.
These incidents are also likely to increase scrutiny on the US Secret Service and its ability to secure candidates, especially as the 2024 presidential election draws near. Political violence has been a growing concern in recent years, with fears that it could escalate as the election nears.
Trump’s campaign, already shaped by his legal battles and public appearances, now faces the additional challenge of ensuring his personal safety amid the threats against him.

Also read: Who is Ryan Wesley Routh? Man held for 'apparent assassination attempt' on Trump
The big picture

Law enforcement officials identified the suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old man from Hawaii, as the gunman in the recent assassination attempt. According to online records from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, Routh has a criminal history, including a conviction for possessing a weapon of mass destruction in 2002. News reports from that time describe a standoff with police during which Routh barricaded himself inside a building after being pulled over in a traffic stop, armed with a fully automatic machine gun.
Authorities have not yet disclosed Routh’s motive, but the presence of a GoPro camera, which he left behind at the scene, suggests he may have intended to record the attack. Additionally, two backpacks were found hanging on a fence near the golf course, adding another layer of intrigue to the investigation.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of Palm Beach County provided some details on the security situation, explaining that Routh’s ability to hide in the shrubbery along the perimeter of the golf course made it difficult to spot him. Bradshaw noted that if Trump were still president, the entire course would have been secured by law enforcement. However, because Trump is no longer in office, his security is limited to what the Secret Service deems necessary. Bradshaw praised the Secret Service for their quick reaction, adding that they “did exactly what should have been done.”
The fact that Trump is no longer a sitting president complicates security measures. As Bradshaw pointed out, there are gaps in protection, especially when Trump is at his private properties like his golf courses. Although Trump’s protective detail has been increased since the assassination attempt in July, there are still vulnerabilities when he is in less controlled environments.

Also read: How Elon Musk reacted to 2nd assassination attempt on Trump
What they’re saying

“The threat level is high," Rafael Barros, special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s Miami field office, told reporters. “We live in danger times."
Trump was quick to reassure his supporters following the incident. In an email sent shortly after the attempt, Trump wrote, “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!” He also expressed his gratitude for the swift action of the Secret Service agents, who have now faced two attempts on his life in just two months.
Several of Trump’s close allies also spoke out. US Senator Lindsey Graham said he spoke with Trump shortly after the incident and reported that the former president was in “good spirits.” Graham described Trump’s reaction as calm, despite the near-miss. Similarly, Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, expressed his relief that Trump was safe and praised the work of the Secret Service.
Fox News host Sean Hannity, a close friend of Trump, shared details from his conversation with the former president. Hannity said Trump and his golf partner, Steve Witkoff, were on the fifth hole when they heard the gunshots. Witkoff recounted how Secret Service agents immediately “pounced on” Trump to shield him and whisked him away in a reinforced golf cart moments later. Hannity also reported that Trump, despite the gravity of the situation, made a lighthearted remark about missing out on a birdie putt before being rushed off the course.
Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s Democratic opponent in the 2024 election, condemned the violence, saying, “I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.” The White House released a statement indicating that both President Joe Biden and Harris had been briefed on the incident and were relieved that Trump was unharmed.
“The people deserve the truth about the would be assassin and how he was able to get within 500 yards of the former president and current GOP nominee,” Florida governor Ron DeSantis, one of Trump's rivals in the GOP primary, wrote in a social media post.

Also read: Apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump; 10 points
Zoom in

The repeated attempts on Trump’s life are prompting calls for a closer look at the security measures surrounding former presidents, especially those actively running for office. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have voiced concern over the vulnerabilities in Trump’s security. Representative Mike Kelly (R-Pa) and Representative Jason Crow (D-Colo), leaders of the congressional bipartisan task force investigating the July 13 assassination attempt, have requested a briefing from the Secret Service.
In addition to concerns about political violence, questions are being raised about how someone like Routh, with a criminal record involving a weapon of mass destruction, was able to get so close to Trump. Law enforcement agencies have been criticized for not doing more to prevent these incidents, and the Secret Service is under intense scrutiny.

Shift in momentum?

Vice-President Kamala Harris has been riding a wave of positive attention and media coverage since her impressive performance in the debate against Trump on September 10th. However, this momentum will now be challenged by the extensive reporting on the suspect's history and the perplexing issue of how another armed individual managed to come within a few hundred yards of the former president without being noticed, a report in the Economist said.
Then there is the recurring theme of divine intervention.
As per a CNN report, Representative Elise Stefanik, a prominent supporter, issued a statement echoing the notion that divine intervention had shielded Trump, a theme that was prevalent during the Republican National Convention. Stefanik, who chairs the House GOP conference, implied that the nation now had an obligation to vote for Trump in light of recent events. "Thankfully, God continues to watch over President Trump. As Americans we must unite behind him in November to protect our republic and bring peace back to the world," she said.
"No leader (in) American history has endured more attacks and remained so strong and resilient. He is unstoppable," House Speaker Mike Johnson said.

What’s next

Investigations are ongoing into both the July assassination attempt and the latest incident in Florida. The Secret Service will likely face more pressure to explain how Routh was able to approach Trump with a rifle, despite increased security measures after the Pennsylvania attack.
As the 2024 election approaches, Trump shows no signs of scaling back his public appearances. His campaign continues at full speed, with no announced changes to his schedule. Trump is expected to deliver remarks on X (formerly Twitter) from his Mar-a-Lago resort about a new cryptocurrency platform later this week, signaling that the former president is undeterred by the recent attacks.
Meanwhile, Congress is expected to hold hearings on the assassination attempts, with bipartisan calls for answers about the Secret Service’s protocols. There is growing concern about how the agency will handle Trump’s protection during the heated final months of the presidential race, especially as political tensions escalate.
The latest attack is likely to fuel debate over the role of the Secret Service in protecting former presidents who remain active in public life. With two assassination attempts in as many months, the challenges of safeguarding candidates in an increasingly volatile political climate are becoming clearer.

(With inputs from agencies)

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