FBI investigating Florida incident as ‘an attempted assassination’ on Trump

Federal authorities are investigating an incident at Donald Trump’s Florida golf club on Sunday that “appears to be an attempted assassination,” a potential second attempt on the former president’s life in roughly two months.

Secret Service agents “opened fire on a gunman located near the property line” of Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Rafael Barros, the special agent in charge in Miami, said during a news conference, adding that the agency was “unsure whether the individual,” who is in custody, “was able to take a shot at our agents.”

Trump, who was golfing at the club at the time, was unharmed.

According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, a Secret Service agent spotted the suspect with a rifle sticking through the fence of the golf course and immediately fired at the man before he fled the scene. Trump was 300 to 500 yards away from the suspect, Bradshaw said.

In the bushes afterward, law enforcement located an “AK-47 style rifle” with a scope, Bradshaw said. They also found hanging from a chain-link fence two backpacks containing ceramic tiles and a GoPro camera. Bradshaw said the suspect was “intent on filming what was going on.”

A witness spotted the suspect flee in a black Nissan, and took photos of the car and license plate, Bradshaw said. The suspect was subsequently stopped in the vehicle and detained by authorities on Interstate 95 in neighboring Martin County.

In a statement, the FBI said it is “investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump.” The incident took place at roughly 1:30 p.m., according to Bradshaw. The Palm Beach County state attorney said prosecutors are drawing warrants against the suspect. A law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh.

Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement less than an hour after the incident that the former president is “safe following gunshots in his vicinity.” Trump was moved inside his golf club.

Asked how the security breach occurred, Bradshaw noted that Trump “is not the sitting president right now,” and said security measures were not as strict as they would be for a president in office.

“If he was, we would have had the entire higher golf course surrounded,” Bradshaw said. "But because he's not, security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible.”

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s opponent in the general election, were “briefed about the security incident at the Trump International Golf Course, where former President Trump was golfing,” a White House spokesperson said in a statement.

"As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country," Biden said in a statement in which he added that he was "relieved" that Trump was not harmed. "I have directed my team to continue to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former president’s continued safety."

In her own statement, Harris said she was "deeply disturbed by the possible assassination attempt of former President Trump today. As we gather the facts, I will be clear: I condemn political violence. We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence."

The Trump campaign, which is also headquartered in West Palm Beach, was put on lockdown, according to a person granted anonymity to discuss the situation. Trump International Golf Club was also locked down following the incident.

In an email sent to campaign staffers, Trump campaign senior advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles urged them to “remain vigilant” in “daily comings and goings.”

“President Trump and everyone accompanying him are safe thanks to the great work of the United States Secret Service,” the email stated.

The shooting occurred just 64 days after Trump survived an assassination attempt while at an outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Prior to this incident, people close to the former president have privately expressed concern about his safety while he is on the golf course. Although his country clubs in Florida and New Jersey are not open to the public, some of the boundaries of his courses are visible from the perimeter.

Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity told viewers on that network that he spoke with Trump after the incident, and the former president told him he was on the fifth hole of the golf course. Trump was golfing with Steve Witkoff, a donor and friend of the former president.

“They heard, ‘Pop-pop, pop-pop,’” Hannity said. “Within seconds, the Secret Service pounced on the president, covered him. You had snipers with tripods — they knew the direction the shots had been fired, and they had eyes on the location the shots had been fired.”

Secret Service agents “whisked the president away” in an armored vehicle, Hannity said.

Hannity said Trump confirmed that an AK-47 was found, and one individual got into a car after dropping the firearm. The former president was then taken to the clubhouse, according to Hannity, followed by all the others who were on the golf course with him.

“I really wanted to finish the hole. I was even [par], and I had a birdie putt,” Trump joked afterward, according to Hannity.

JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, said on X that he spoke with Trump before the news was public and that the former president “was, amazingly, in good spirits” and there is “still much we don't know.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said in a post on X he spoke with Trump and he “is in good spirits and he is more resolved than ever to save our country.”

Republicans and Democrats alike responded to the incident by roundly condemning political violence.

“I can’t believe I’m having to say this once again this election cycle: there is absolutely no place for violence in politics,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) on X. “Grateful for all law enforcement involved who stopped what could’ve been a catastrophe.”

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), a foe of the former president who led the first impeachment proceedings against him, wrote on X: “This madness has got to stop. Violence is not the answer to our political differences.”

Josh Gerstein and Alex Isenstadt contributed to this report.