Law enforcement officers walk after reports of shots fired outside the Republican presidential candidate and US President Donald Trump’s International Golf Club in Florida, US on September 15, 2024. | Photo credit: Reuters
Former US president Donald Trump on Sunday (September 15, 2024) thanked the US Secret Service and other law enforcement officials after an assassination attempt while he was playing golf at one of the golf courses in West Palm Beach in Florida.
The former president remained unharmed in what the FBI said was an “assassination attempt” while playing golf two months after trying to revive him at a Pennsylvania rally.
“The JOB they are doing is incredible,” Mr. Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
“I want to thank everyone for your concern and willingness – It’s been an interesting day! Most of all, I want to thank the US Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and the Office of brave and dedicated patriots, and, all law enforcement, for the incredible job you are doing today at Trump International to keep me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican candidate in the upcoming presidential election, SAFE,” the presidential candidate said.
Local authorities said US Secret Service agents protecting Mr. Trump fired at him pointing an AK-style rifle with a scope while the former president was golfing with donor Steve Witkoff when shots were fired, CNN quoted a source familiar with the development.
President Joe Biden and vice president Kamala Harris were briefed and updated on the investigation.
Mrs. Harris, Democratic presidential candidate and Mr. Trump’s rival in the next election, in a statement, said “violence has no place in America”.
Mr Biden echoed those thoughts in his statement, adding that he had directed his team to ensure the Secret Service “has all the resources, capabilities and protective measures necessary to ensure the safety of the former president”.
Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X (formerly Twitter), in his comments about the attempt on Mr. Trump’s life, asked why there were no similar threats against Mr. Biden or Ms. Harris.
Mr Musk’s controversial comments came in response to a question from user X who asked why Mr Trump was being targeted.
The Tesla CEO replied: “And no one is trying to kill Biden/Kamala.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing shock after the apparent assassination attempt, said: “Sara and I were shocked by the second assassination attempt on (former) president Trump and are relieved to hear that it also failed. But we must not rely on luck.”
“We send our best wishes to Donald and Melania together with the hope that all measures will be taken to ensure that the deadly attack on the US presidential candidate will be thwarted in advance,” the Israeli Prime Minister added.
It was the latest moment in the former president’s life after a failed assassination attempt on Trump on July 13 during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a bullet grazed his ear.
The incident has raised new questions about the Secret Service’s protection operations after the agency failed to prevent an assassination attempt this summer.
It was not immediately clear whether the development would affect Mr Trump’s campaign as he will speak from Florida about cryptocurrency on Monday night on social media sites.
Mr Trump has had a heightened security footprint since the July assassination attempt.
Former presidents and their spouses have Secret Service protection for life, but the security around former presidents varies according to the level of threat and exposure, with the toughest measures usually taken after they leave office.
Mr. Trump’s protective detail is higher than that of some other former presidents because of his high visibility and his campaign to regain the White House.
Published – September 16, 2024 13:27 IST
