In a shocking incident at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped yet another assassination attempt, marking the second attempt on his life in just two months.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw addressed the press following the incident, acknowledging the severity of the situation but drawing criticism for his comments regarding the level of security surrounding Trump.
Bradshaw suggested that Trump's status as a presidential candidate, rather than a sitting president, was a key factor in the security limitations that may have contributed to the near-tragic event. “If he was the sitting president, we would have had this entire golf course surrounded," Bradshaw remarked, adding that current security efforts are primarily focused on areas deemed most critical by the Secret Service.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw says that because Trump is not the sitting president that he is not given complete perimeter protection, even though someone shot him just a couple months ago
He said if Trump was president then law enforcement would take protecting him more seriously pic.twitter.com/BXpcHgnFHj
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) September 15, 2024
The assassination attempt occurred in a seemingly vulnerable spot on the golf course, where dense shrubbery allowed the suspect to remain hidden until law enforcement intervened. Armed with an AK-47, the attacker was reportedly only a few hundred yards away from the former president before Secret Service agents engaged, forcing the suspect to flee.
Thanks to a witness who captured a photo of the getaway vehicle’s license plate, law enforcement swiftly tracked down and arrested the would-be assassin.
Rafael Barros, a representative of the Secret Service, acknowledged the heightened danger surrounding Trump, especially in light of the July assassination attempt in which Trump was shot. "The threat level is high," Barros said, noting that the agency has increased the number of security assets deployed to protect the former president.
“We live in dangerous times,” he added, underlining the ongoing risks faced by political figures in an increasingly volatile environment.
While the swift apprehension of the suspect provides some reassurance, the incident raises serious questions about the security measures in place for a former president who remains one of the most high-profile figures in American politics. Many are left wondering whether Trump’s status as a candidate should warrant even greater protection, especially considering the two assassination attempts in such a short period of time.