FBI: Trump apparently target of assassination attempt in Florida

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Donald Trump was the target of an “apparent assassination attempt” at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday, just nine weeks after the Republican presidential candidate survived another assassination attempt. The former president said he was safe and sound, and authorities were holding a man in custody.

US Secret Service agents stationed a few holes away from Trump's field spotted the muzzle of an AK rifle sticking out of the bushes lining the field about 375 yards away.

An agent fired, and the gunman dropped the rifle and fled in an SUV, leaving the weapon behind as well as two backpacks, a rifle scope and a GoPro camera, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said. The man was later stopped by police in a neighboring county.

It was the latest shocking moment in an election year marked by unprecedented upheaval. On July 13, Trump was shot during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and a the bullet grazed his earEight days later, Democratic President Joe Biden withdrew from the race and made Vice President Kamala Harris the party’s nominee.

And it raised new questions about the Secret Service’s protective measures after it admitted that it had failed to Assassination this summer.

The arrested man had a calm, composed demeanor and showed little emotion when he was stopped, said Martin County Sheriff William Snyder.

“He never asked, 'What is this about?' Obviously there were police officers with long guns and flashing lights, there was a lot going on. He never questioned it,” Snyder said.

In an email to his supporters, 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!” He wrote: “Nothing will stop me. I will NEVER SURRENDER!”

He has returned to his private club, Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, where he lives, according to a person familiar with Trump's activities who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

It was not immediately clear how the development would affect his schedule or the momentum of his campaign. Trump was scheduled to speak live on social media site X about cryptocurrencies from Florida on Monday evening and had planned stops in Michigan and on New York's Long Island on Tuesday and Wednesday.

An email to Trump campaign staff seen by AP states: “We ask that you remain vigilant in your daily comings and goings.”

“As we enter the final 50 days of President Trump's campaign, we must remember that only by working together as a team can we save America from those who seek to destroy it.”

Biden and Harris were briefed on the matter and each issued a statement condemning political violence. Harris added that she was “deeply troubled” by the day's events and that “we must all do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to further violence.”

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

Trump then spoke with allies, including running mate JD Vance of Ohio, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and several Fox News hosts. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he spent several hours with Trump and called him “unstoppable.”

Fox News host Sean Hannity reported live from his conversation with Steve Witkoff, the former president's golf partner.

They were on the fifth hole and were about to putt when they heard a “pop pop, pop pop.” Within seconds, Witkoff said, Secret Service agents “pounced” on Trump and “covered him” to protect him.

Trump returned to Florida this weekend from a West Coast tour that included a Friday night rally in Las Vegas and a fundraiser in Utah. His campaign did not publicly announce any plans for Trump on Sunday. He often spends his mornings playing golf.

Since the assassination attempt in July, security measures against Trump have been increased. When he is in Trump Tower in New York, parked dump trucks form a wall in front of the building. At outdoor rallies, he now speaks behind bulletproof glass.

The Florida golf course was partially closed for Trump's play, but there are several areas around the property where golfers are visible from the fence. Secret Service agents and officers in golf carts and on ATVs typically secure the area several holes in front of and behind Trump. Agents also typically bring an armored vehicle onto the course to quickly provide protection for Trump in the event of a threat.

The Palm Beach County sheriff said the entire golf course would be lined with law enforcement officers if Trump were president, but because he is not, “security is limited to the areas the Secret Service deems possible.”

“I would imagine that the next time he comes to the golf course, there will probably be a little more people standing on the sidelines,” Bradshaw said. “But the Secret Service did exactly what they should have done.”

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

He was scheduled to be personally briefed on the assassination investigation by Secret Service Deputy Director Ronald Rowe on Monday, according to a person familiar with the briefing plans who was not authorized to speak publicly.

Former presidents and their spouses are protected by the Secret Service for life. However, security protection for former presidents varies depending on the threat and level of danger. The strictest measures are usually taken immediately after they leave office.

Because of his high profile and his campaign to re-enter the White House, Trump was under a heavier security guard than some other former presidents.

The man in custody is Ryan Routh, three law enforcement officials told the AP. The officials who identified the suspect spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.

Records show Routh, 58, lived in North Carolina for most of his life before moving to Hawaii in 2018. In 2020, he made a social media post supporting Trump's re-election, but in recent years he has expressed support for Biden and Harris in his posts.

Routh tried to recruit Afghan soldiers who had fled the Taliban to fight in Ukraine and spent several months in the country last year, according to an interview with The New York Times.

The FBI led the investigation and attempted to determine a possible motive. Attorney General Merrick Garland was kept regularly informed. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted in the investigation.

“The FBI has responded to West Palm Beach, Florida, and appears to be investigating an attempted assassination of former President Trump,” the office said.

Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, said the state would conduct its own investigation. On X, he wrote: “The public has a right to know the truth about the suspected assassin and how he was able to get within 500 feet of the former president and current Republican candidate.”

No reporters were with Trump on Sunday. Contrary to tradition, Trump's campaign team has not organized a protection pool of reporters to accompany him, as is customary for major party candidates and the president. Harris does not always have a protection pool, but she does allow reporters to accompany her to public events.

Snyder, the Martin County sheriff, said the suspect was arrested minutes after the FBI, Secret Service and Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office issued a “very urgent BOLO” alert.

Snyder said his officers “immediately flooded” northbound I-95 and “we contained the car, brought it to a safe stop and took the driver into custody.”

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Richer, Long, Tucker and Miller reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Lindsay Whitehurst and Michael Biesecker in Washington, Michael Balsamo, Jill Colvin, Michelle L. Price and Michael R. Sisak in New York and Meg Kinnard in Houston contributed to this report.