FBI investigates second “assassination attempt” on Donald Trump

The FBI is currently investigating “an apparent assassination attempt” on the former US president at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The second attempt came just nine weeks after Mr Trump survived another attack at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July.

The task force is monitoring the situation in Florida and has requested a briefing from the Secret Service following the second attack.

“We are grateful that no harm came to the former president, but remain deeply concerned about political violence and condemn it in all its forms,” ​​U.S. representatives and task force members Mike Kelly and Jason Crow said in a statement.

“The task force will update us as soon as we know more.”

Trump campaign leaders have credited the Secret Service with keeping the former president safe. Advisors Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles wrote to their staff on Sunday: “Today, for the second time in two months, an evil monster attempted to take President Trump’s life.

“Fortunately, no one was injured on the golf course. President Trump and all of his companions are safe thanks to the great work of the U.S. Secret Service.”

They added that the safety of campaign staff was “always our top priority” and urged recipients of the email to “remain vigilant” and “alert and maintain a high level of situational awareness at all times.”

The former president was safe and unharmed after U.S. intelligence officials opened fire on a man who aimed an AK rifle at the club while Trump was on the golf course, three law enforcement officials said.

The person dropped the weapon and fled in an SUV. He was later taken into custody in a neighboring county.

The officials were not authorized to comment on the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

An AK-type firearm was recovered at the scene near the Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach, two of the officers said. No injuries were reported.

The incident was the latest shocking moment in a campaign year marked by unprecedented upheaval. It came about two months after Trump was shot in an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania, a bullet grazing his ear.

Just a week later, President Joe Biden withdrew from the race.

The golf course was partially closed while Trump was playing, and agents were already a few holes ahead of him when they noticed the person with the firearm, officials said.

There are several areas around the property where golfers are visible from the fence.

When Trump plays golf, Secret Service agents and officials in golf carts and ATVs generally secure the area several holes in front of and behind him.

The agents also usually bring an armored vehicle with them to quickly provide protection for Mr. Trump in the event of a threat.

Mr Trump returned to Florida this weekend from a West Coast tour that included a rally in Las Vegas on Friday night and a fundraiser in Utah.

In an email to his supporters after the incident, Trump wrote: “There was a shooting near me, but before the rumor mill gets out of control, I want you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND I AM FINE! Nothing will stop me. I will NEVER SURRENDER!”

He has returned to Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Palm Beach where he lives, a person familiar with Trump’s activities told the Associated Press who asked not to be identified.

Late Sunday, Trump posted a message on social media thanking the Secret Service and law enforcement for keeping him safe, calling them “brave and dedicated patriots” and adding that it had “certainly been an interesting day.”

It was not immediately clear whether the incident would impact his campaign schedule.

Since the assassination attempt in July, security measures against the former president have been increased.

When he was at Trump Tower in New York, a row of trucks would park in a wall in front of the building. And at outdoor rallies, he now speaks from behind a shield of bulletproof glass.

After the incident, Mr Trump was safely returned to his private Mar-a-Lago club, where he lives in neighboring Palm Beach, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The White House said both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, had been informed and would be kept updated on the status of the investigation.

The White House added that it was “relieved” that Mr Trump was safe.

In a statement, Ms Harris said she was “glad” that Mr Trump was safe, adding that “violence has no place in America”.

Mr Biden said he had instructed his team to ensure the Secret Service “has all the necessary resources, capabilities and protections to ensure the continued safety of the former President.”

Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz said he and his wife Gwen were “glad” to hear that Trump was safe.

“Violence has no place in our country,” he said in a post on X. “It is not what defines us as a nation.”

In an X-post, Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Trump’s key allies in Congress, said he had spoken to the former president after the incident and that he was “in good spirits” and “one of the strongest people I have ever known.”

Martin County Sheriff William D. Snyder said the suspect was arrested minutes after the FBI, Secret Service and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office issued a “very urgent bolo, or ‘watch out!'” alert detailing the vehicle being sought, its license plate number and a description of the occupant.

Mr. Snyder said his officers “immediately flooded” northbound I-95, targeting every exit between the Palm Beach County border to the south and the St. Lucie County border to the north.

“One of my patrol cars saw the vehicle, found the matching license plate frame and we made our way to the vehicle,” Snyder said. “We were able to clamp down on the car, bring it to a safe stop and arrest the driver.”

Mr. Snyder told WPTV that the suspect “was not armed when we got him out of the car.”

The man had a calm, composed demeanor and showed little emotion when he was stopped by police, Snyder said. In addition, the suspect did not ask why he was stopped.

“He never asked, ‘What is this about?’ Obviously there were cops with long guns and flashing lights, it was busy. He never asked any questions,” Snyder said.

A Justice Department spokeswoman said Attorney General Merrick Garland has been briefed on the situation and receives regular updates.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office post stated that the suspect was arrested near Palm City, Florida, about 45 miles north of Trump’s golf course. The northbound lanes of I-95 were closed, the sheriff’s office said.

A message sent to campaign staff requesting information on the security status and whereabouts of Trump’s vice presidential candidate JD Vance received no immediate response.

Max Egusquiza of Palm Beach described the emergency response outside Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach.

“From what I saw, five black, unmarked SUVs blocked a gray Mercedes in front of the golf course. About 20 or more police cars fled from the surrounding streets,” he said.