Biden Condemned second Assassination Attempt Targeting Trump
U.S. President Joe Biden condemned a second apparent assassination attempt against his predecessor, labelling the political violence as un-American.
“There’s no place for political violence in America. None. Zero. Never,” Biden stated at a conference of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in Philadelphia.
“In America, we resolve our differences peacefully at the ballot box. Not at the end of a gun,” Biden remarked on Monday.
“America has suffered too many times from the tragedy of an assassin’s bullet,” he continued. “It solves nothing and only tears the country apart.”
Biden’s remarks came just about 24 hours after U.S. Secret Service agents identified a suspected gunman at former President Donald Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Officials reported that Trump was positioned approximately 365 to 455 meters away from where the gunman was concealed on Sunday, hiding in some bushes along a chain link fence between the fifth and seventh holes of the golf course.
The agent discharged at least four shots toward the gunman but did not make contact. The gunman then escaped without firing a single shot.
Sheriff’s deputies in nearby Martin County arrested the suspect, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, without incident on Interstate 95, roughly 65 kilometres from the golf course.
Shortly after the incident on Sunday, Trump reassured Americans on his Truth Social platform that he was safe.
“I am safe and well, and no one was hurt,” Trump stated in one of his campaign messages. “However, there are individuals in this world who will go to great lengths to stop us.
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“I want to express my gratitude to everyone for your concerns and well wishes — it was quite a day!” Trump remarked. He commended his Secret Service team, saying, “They did an outstanding job.”
On Monday, Biden urged lawmakers to allocate more resources to the Secret Service, highlighting that the recent attempt on Trump’s life, who is also the Republican presidential candidate for the upcoming election, marks the second such incident in two months.
“The Secret Service needs more support,” Biden told reporters at the White House before heading to Philadelphia.
Shortly after the incident on Sunday, Trump reassured Americans on his Truth Social platform that he was safe.
“I am safe and well, and no one was hurt,” Trump stated. “However, there are individuals in this world who will go to great lengths to stop us.
“I want to express my gratitude to everyone for your concerns and well wishes — it was quite a day!” Trump remarked. He commended his Secret Service team, saying, “They did an outstanding job.”
On Monday, Biden urged lawmakers to allocate more resources to the Secret Service, highlighting that the recent attempt on Trump’s life, who is also the Republican presidential candidate for the upcoming election, marks the second such incident in two months.
“The Secret Service needs more assistance,” Biden told reporters at the White House before heading to Philadelphia. “I believe Congress should address their needs,” he added. “We may require additional personnel.”
Biden continued, “Thank goodness the president is okay.”
Trump’s opponent in the election, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, also expressed her concern following how Biden condemned second the assassination.
“I’m relieved he is safe,” Harris said on Sunday. “Violence has no place in America.”
The Secret Service, along with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, is investigating the recent attempt on Trump’s life.
The suspect, Routh, appeared in federal court in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday.
He faces charges of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.