Former President Donald Trump has survived a second assassination attempt, according to lawmakers from both sides of the political divide. A man with an AK-47 styled rifle was reportedly spotted by Secret Service agents approximately 300 to 500 yards away while the ex-President was enjoying golf at his resort in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Bipartisan Task Force members Chairman Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) and Ranking Member Jason Crow (D-Colo.) issued a joint statement expressing concern over political violence as they monitor this incident. They have requested a briefing with the US Secret Service about what happened and how security responded. The two lawmakers are relieved that Trump was not harmed in the attack but remain deeply concerned about political violence, which they condemn in all its forms.
House Speaker Mike Johnson spent time with Trump following the scary incident, calling him “unstoppable.” Despite the added threat level for a former president, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) criticized Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw’s admission that security levels were limited to areas deemed possible by the Secret Service.
GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik expressed gratitude towards law enforcement officers who kept Trump safe but raised questions about how close the alleged assassin got to him. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) echoed concerns over political violence and demanded a full security detail for Trump, while Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) suggested moving Secret Service back to the Treasury Department and increasing resources allocated to them.
Leading Democrats like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Vice President Kamala Harris also weighed in on the matter, denouncing political violence and expressing relief that Trump was unharmed.
The assassination attempt on Trump on July 13 is still under investigation. Following this incident, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed that Trump’s protective detail had been increased, along with protection offered to then-independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
In a statement confirming his safety, Trump vowed never to surrender and thanked supporters for their unwavering support. Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating the incident, including the Secret Service, FBI, and Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
