On September 16, 2024, a man was found setting up a rifle in the woods near Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, in what has been labeled an attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump. Despite Secret Service warnings regarding security vulnerabilities at his golf course, Trump persisted in golfing there. Following this incident, Trump has attributed the attack to what he describes as the “highly inflammatory language” from Democrats, who have referred to him as “a threat to democracy.” Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, supported this view, citing the lack of similar threats towards other political figures such as Vice President Kamala Harris.
Elon Musk also briefly commented on the situation, noting the lack of assassination attempts on Biden or Harris before removing his post. The Washington Post reported that Secret Service had previously briefed Trump about the security challenges of his golf courses due to their proximity to public roads. However, Trump continued to disregard these warnings and golf at his properties, which made securing his safety more strenuous for the Secret Service.
On the day of the incident, Trump’s unplanned golfing led to a scramble for his protection. Acting Secret Service Head Ronald Rowe confirmed that the gunman, identified as repeat firearm offender Ryan Wesley Routh, did not have Trump in his crosshairs and did not fire any shots.
In contrast, during his presidency, Barack Obama, another avid golfer, mainly played at secure military bases, which had stringent screening protocols, thereby ensuring better security. In comparison, people golfing at Trump International reported minimal screening and close proximity to the former President.
Currently, Routh has been charged with gun-related crimes, but not with attempted murder or assassination. Yet, Republicans assert this was a second assassination attempt and hold Democrats responsible for fostering a hostile environment through their rhetoric. This situation has led to increased scrutiny of political language on both sides.
Additionally, comments from Trump and Vance about Haitian immigrants allegedly committing violent acts in Springfield, Ohio, have led to bomb threats and the cancellation of local events. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine criticized these claims as baseless, urging an end to such unfounded rhetoric. Ironically, one of the US Attorneys investigating the threat against Trump, Markenzy Lapointe, is a Haitian immigrant.
The article concludes with a call from The Nation for sustained support for independent journalism to continue reporting on critical issues.
