News that former President Trump was safe after gunshots rang out nearby while he was playing at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach had lawmakers, family members and others reacting to the news.
The shots were later determined to have been fired by Secret Service agents at a man carrying an AK-47 in what the FBI said appeared to be an assassination attempt. Trump was playing on the club's fifth hole when the shots rang out and was rushed to safety by Secret Service agents. Steven Cheung of Trump's campaign communications team issued a statement after the event.
“President Trump is safe following the shooting that occurred in his vicinity. There are no further details at this time,” Cheung said.
Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., responded by saying, “Here we go again, folks!” It was a sad allusion to the attempted assassination of Trump on July 13 at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
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“SHOTS WERE FIRED at the Trump golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida,” the younger Trump said. “An AK-47 was discovered in the bushes, according to local authorities.”
Trump Jr. also said a suspect had reportedly been detained.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., retweeted a post from Trump's War Room about the former president's security.
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“I just spoke with President Trump. He is one of the strongest people I have ever met,” Graham said. “He is in good spirits and more determined than ever to save our country.”
The White House also issued a statement on the situation.
“The President and Vice President have been briefed on the security incident at Trump International Golf Course, where former President Trump was playing golf,” the statement read. “They are relieved to know that he is safe. His team will keep them updated regularly.”
Rep. Anna Paulina, R-Fla., blamed the “radical left” for continually labeling Republicans and Americans who want a safe and prosperous country as “threats to democracy.”
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“This irresponsible rhetoric is getting people hurt. I just had to inform my opponent [supporters] for asking strangers to send threatening packages to my home. She has refused to condemn this and her supporters for [doxing] “I am,” Paulina wrote. “This election is absolutely one of the most important elections in our history. We cannot bow to intimidation, violence, and persecution. We must stay strong and bring home the victory this November.
“Our family is praying for President Trump as he takes on a monumental task,” she added.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., thanked God that Trump was safe and added that he and his wife are grateful to law enforcement who responded bravely.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Sunday night that the acting director of the Secret Service had briefed him about the second assassination attempt on Trump.
“I applaud the Secret Service for their swift response to ensure the safety of former President Trump,” Schumer wrote in X. “There is no place in this country for political violence of any kind. The perpetrator must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., echoed Schumer, saying, “Political violence has no place in a democratic society.”
Two members of the Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump, Chairman Mike Kelly, Republican of Pennsylvania, and Ranking Member Jason Crow, Democrat of Colorado, released a joint statement after the shooting that the FBI is now investigating as a second assassination attempt.
“The task force is closely monitoring this attempted assassination of former President Trump in West Palm Beach this afternoon. We have requested a briefing with the United States Secret Service about what occurred and how security responded,” the two task force members wrote. “We are grateful that the former President was not injured, but we remain deeply concerned about political violence and condemn it in all its forms. The task force will share updates as we learn more.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., released the following statement after learning of the attempted assassination of Trump on Sunday.
“I am glad to hear that President Trump is safe following the assassination attempt reported today in Florida. I join in thanking our hardworking law enforcement officers who are working to keep President Trump, his family, and his team safe,” he wrote. “However, we must ask ourselves how an assassin was allowed to get so close to President Trump again. There remains a lack of answers for the horrific assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, and we hope there is a clear explanation for what happened today in Florida. Thankfully, God continues to watch over President Trump. As Americans, we must unite behind him in November to protect our republic and bring peace back to the world.”
