Trump faces new assassination attempt: What you need to know

INearly two months after an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in July at a rally in Pennsylvania, another apparent attempt on the life of the Republican presidential nominee was foiled by authorities on Sunday at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Trump was unharmed and a suspect who fled the scene was arrested. Political figures from across the spectrum condemned the attack and law enforcement launched an investigation.

Here’s what you need to know:

Hiding in the bushes: what happened?

As Trump was golfing Sunday around 1:30 p.m., a Secret Service agent positioned one hole in front of the former president noticed a rifle barrel about 300 to 500 yards away, sticking out of the bushes bordering the golf course, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said at a news conference later Sunday. (For reference, the July shooter was about 400 feet, or about a third as far, from Trump.)

As Secret Service members opened fire on the gunman hiding in the bushes, Bradshaw said, the gunman dropped his weapon and other items — an “AK-47-style rifle with a scope, two backpacks hanging from the fence containing ceramic tiles and a GoPro (camera)” — and fled in a vehicle.

It is unclear whether the suspect was able to shoot Secret Service agents during the confrontation, a Secret Service official said at Sunday’s news conference.

A witness reported seeing the suspect running from the bushes and photographed the vehicle he jumped into. Authorities were able to stop that vehicle on a highway, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post around 3:30 p.m. “We didn’t give him a chance to fight, we contained him, forced him off the road, took him away at gunpoint,” Martin County Sheriff William Snyder told media about the arrest at a later press briefing, adding that the suspect was unarmed, “relatively calm” and “not showing much emotion” when he was taken into custody.

The witness was called to confirm that the suspect was the same person seen fleeing earlier. Authorities have not identified the suspect, but anonymous sources within law enforcement have identified the arrested man to multiple media outlets as Ryan Routh.

“I will never surrender!”: Trump’s response

In an email to supporters, Trump said: “There have been shots fired in my neighborhood, but before the rumors start to get out of hand, I first wanted you to hear this: I AM SAFE AND HEALTHY! Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER surrender!”

After the incident, Trump returned to Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach resort about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) from the golf course, the Associated Press reported.

Despite another apparent assassination attempt, Trump was in “good spirits” Sunday night, Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, and his supporter, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), said on social media, saying they had each spoken with the former president.

CBS reported, citing Trump’s friends, family and advisers, that he joked that he wished he could finish his golf game.

Fox News anchor Sean Hannity said he spoke Sunday with Trump’s golf partner, real estate investor Steve Witkoff, who recalled that Trump had “gone out of his way” to express his gratitude to the Secret Service agents at the scene.

At the same time, an internal Trump campaign email to staffers warned them to “remain vigilant,” the AP reported. “This is not a matter we take lightly. Your safety is always our top priority,” the email said. “As we enter the final 50 days of President Trump’s campaign, we must remember that we can only save America from those who seek to destroy it by working together as one team.”

In a message posted to Truth Social later Sunday night, Trump said: “I want to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes. It was certainly an interesting day! Most importantly, I want to thank the United States Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his office of courageous and dedicated patriots, and all law enforcement agencies for the incredible work they did today at Trump International to keep me, as the 45th President of the United States and the Republican candidate for President, SAFE. THE JOB THEY DID WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. I AM SO PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!”

‘People deserve the truth’: ongoing investigations

Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told X on Sunday afternoon that the agency was “investigating a protection incident involving former President Donald Trump.”

CNN reported, citing an anonymous source, that the FBI launched a “global investigation” after the arrested suspect’s online activity involved platforms headquartered outside the United States, although no co-conspirators have been identified.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said on X that the state would conduct a separate investigation into the incident. “People deserve to know the truth about the would-be assassin and how he got within 500 yards of the former president and current Republican nominee,” said DeSantis, Trump’s former primary rival who has since endorsed him.

Reps. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) and Jason Crow (D-Colo.) of the congressional task force on the previous Trump assassination attempt issued a joint statement saying they had “requested a briefing with the U.S. Secret Service on what happened and how security responded.” They said they were grateful that Trump was unharmed “but remain deeply concerned about political violence and condemn it in all its forms” and “will share updates as we learn more.”

“There is no place for political violence”: Democrats react

In a statement from the White House, President Joe Biden praised the Secret Service and law enforcement, said he was relieved that Trump was safe and reiterated that “there is no place for political violence or any other violence in our country.” He added, “I have directed my team to continue to ensure that the Secret Service has all the resources, capabilities and safeguards necessary to ensure the continued safety of the former president.”

Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, both posted on X that they were “glad” Trump was safe and that “violence has no place” in the United States. “It’s not who we are as a nation,” Walz said.