Florida politicians and organizations react to Trump's apparent assassination attempt in West Palm Beach

MIAMI — Politicians from both parties in Florida are speaking out after an incident on Sunday that the FBI described as an apparent assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump. According to the Secret Service, agents opened fire on a man who pointed a high-powered rifle at the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, where Trump was playing golf on Sunday afternoon. The suspect was arrested.

Trump is safe and was not injured in the incident.

Police officials said the suspect fled, but witnesses took down his license plate number, and he was stopped and arrested in Martin County near Palm City, about 45 miles north of the golf course.

The FBI said the incident “appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump.” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said an AK-47 rifle with a scope was found at the scene along the golf course fence, along with a backpack and a GoPro camera.

“President Trump is safe following the shooting near him,” Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.

Republicans and Democrats in Florida shared their reactions to the incident, saying they were relieved that Trump was safe.

Republican Party

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said on X that the state would conduct its own investigation into the attack, saying “people have a right to the truth” about the incident.

Senator Rick Scott said on X that he and his wife Ann were “grateful” to the law enforcement agencies who responded to the incident.

“Thank God that President [Donald Trump] is safe,” he explained.

The Florida Republican Party asked for prayers for Trump as the investigation continues.

“This madness must stop!” the organization said on X.

Evan Power, chairman of the Florida Republican Party, reposted the party's comments.

Democratic Party

US Senate candidate and former congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell said at the release of the report on Sunday that there was “no place” for violence of any kind.

“Gun violence and political violence have no place in our society,” she said.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava shared Mucarsel-Powell's sentiments, saying she was “horrified” to learn that the former president had been the victim of an attempted assassination.

“Violence like this goes against everything we stand for as Americans,” she said on X.

The Florida Democratic Party echoed this sentiment, joining Vice President Kamala Harris' statement on the incident, saying America's “political leaders should not be the target of violence.”

“We are relieved that the former President is unharmed following a possible assassination attempt in Palm Beach County recently. [Sunday],” the party said on X.