Georgia leaders on both sides condemn Trump attack

(The Center Square) – Leaders from both sides of the aisle in battleground Georgia offered prayers for former president Donald Trump and denounced political violence.

Trump was golfing at his West Palm Beach, Fla., golf club when U.S. Secret Service agents spotted a man pointing a rifle through a chain-link fence, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said.

Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, is facing federal charges of possession of a firearm as a felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. More charges are expected.

Gov. Brian Kemp said in a post on his X page that he was thankful that Trump was safe.

"We’re glad to hear that former President Trump is safe and unharmed following an apparent second assassination attempt, and grateful for the law enforcement officers working to keep him and his family safe. Join us in continuing to pray for our country," Kemp said in the post.

Sunday's incident was the second assassination attempt targeting Trump in two months. On July 13, a 20-year-old shooter fired at a Trump rally in Butler, Pa., killing one and wounding Trump. The shooter, identified as Thomas Crooks, was killed by the Secret Service.

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of Trump's staunchest Republican allies, questioned how Routh got close to the former president in posts shared on Sunday and Monday.

"The admin owes answers about what they know about attempted Trump assassin Ryan Routh," Greene said in a post on X . "Our government knows every American traveling to Ukraine. And we still don’t know enough about Thomas Crooks either. Congress must demand answers."

Democrats also condemned the shooting.

"Thankful for law enforcement’s swift action today that kept former President Trump safe," said Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock in a post on X . "We must all condemn political violence when it rears its ugly head."

"As the FBI investigation continues, we must remember there is no place in this country for political violence," said Democratic U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams in a social media post .