FBI Probes Florida Event as 'an attempted assassination' on Trump
The previous president emerged unscathed.
TroibNews 
Federal authorities are looking into an incident that occurred on Sunday at Donald Trump’s golf club in Florida, which “appears to be an attempted assassination,” marking a potential second threat to the former president's life in about two months.
During a news conference, Rafael Barros, the special agent in charge in Miami, stated that Secret Service agents “opened fire on a gunman located near the property line” of Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. He added that the agency was “unsure whether the individual,” who is now in custody, “was able to take a shot at our agents.”
At the time of the incident, Trump was golfing at the club but remained unharmed.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw reported that a Secret Service agent noticed the suspect with a rifle protruding through the golf course fence and immediately fired at him before he fled. According to Bradshaw, Trump was positioned 300 to 500 yards away from the suspect.
After the confrontation, law enforcement discovered an “AK-47 style rifle” with a scope hidden in the bushes, along with two backpacks containing ceramic tiles and a GoPro camera hanging from a chain-link fence. Bradshaw indicated that the suspect was “intent on filming what was going on.”
A witness saw the suspect flee in a black Nissan and took photos of the vehicle and its license plate. Authorities later apprehended the suspect on Interstate 95 in nearby Martin County.
The FBI stated that it is “investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump.” The event occurred around 1:30 p.m., as noted by Bradshaw. The Palm Beach County state attorney is currently seeking warrants against the suspect.
Steven Cheung, Trump campaign communications director, released a statement shortly after the incident confirming that the former president is “safe following gunshots in his vicinity.” Trump was moved inside the golf club for safety.
When asked about the lapse in security, Bradshaw commented that Trump “is not the sitting president right now,” explaining that security measures were less stringent than those in place for an active president.
“If he was, we would have had the entire higher golf course surrounded,” Bradshaw remarked. "But because he's not, security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible.”
Both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were “briefed about the security incident at the Trump International Golf Course, where former President Trump was golfing,” according to a White House spokesperson.
"As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country," Biden stated, expressing relief that Trump was unharmed. He also mentioned that he has instructed his team to ensure that the Secret Service has all necessary resources and protective measures for the former president’s safety.
Harris expressed her concern, stating that 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 headquarters in West Palm Beach was placed on lockdown as a precaution, according to an anonymous source. Trump International Golf Club also underwent lockdown procedures following the incident.
In an email to campaign staff, senior advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles urged vigilance during “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 assured.
This shooting comes just 64 days after Trump was involved in another assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Concerns about Trump’s safety while on the golf course have been expressed privately by those close to him. Even though his country clubs in Florida and New Jersey are private venues, certain boundaries can be seen from the public perimeter.
Fox News host Sean Hannity shared that he spoke with Trump after the incident, revealing that the former president was on the fifth hole of the course with donor and friend Steve Witkoff.
“They heard, ‘Pop-pop, pop-pop,’” Hannity recounted. “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.”
According to Hannity, Secret Service agents “whisked the president away” in an armored vehicle.
Trump confirmed to Hannity that an AK-47 was found and that one individual fled in a car after discarding the firearm. Following the incident, the former president was taken to the clubhouse along with others who were golfing with him.
“I really wanted to finish the hole. I was even [par], and I had a birdie putt,” Trump joked afterward, as relayed by Hannity.
JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, mentioned in a post on X that he spoke with Trump before news broke and noted that the former president “was, amazingly, in good spirits” with “still much we don't know.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham also shared on X that he spoke with Trump, confirming he “is in good spirits and he is more resolved than ever to save our country.”
Both Republicans and Democrats responded to the incident by 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,” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise stated on X. “Grateful for all law enforcement involved who stopped what could’ve been a catastrophe.”
Rep. Adam Schiff, who has been critical of the former president and led his first impeachment proceedings, said 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.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
During a news conference, Rafael Barros, the special agent in charge in Miami, stated that Secret Service agents “opened fire on a gunman located near the property line” of Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. He added that the agency was “unsure whether the individual,” who is now in custody, “was able to take a shot at our agents.”
At the time of the incident, Trump was golfing at the club but remained unharmed.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw reported that a Secret Service agent noticed the suspect with a rifle protruding through the golf course fence and immediately fired at him before he fled. According to Bradshaw, Trump was positioned 300 to 500 yards away from the suspect.
After the confrontation, law enforcement discovered an “AK-47 style rifle” with a scope hidden in the bushes, along with two backpacks containing ceramic tiles and a GoPro camera hanging from a chain-link fence. Bradshaw indicated that the suspect was “intent on filming what was going on.”
A witness saw the suspect flee in a black Nissan and took photos of the vehicle and its license plate. Authorities later apprehended the suspect on Interstate 95 in nearby Martin County.
The FBI stated that it is “investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump.” The event occurred around 1:30 p.m., as noted by Bradshaw. The Palm Beach County state attorney is currently seeking warrants against the suspect.
Steven Cheung, Trump campaign communications director, released a statement shortly after the incident confirming that the former president is “safe following gunshots in his vicinity.” Trump was moved inside the golf club for safety.
When asked about the lapse in security, Bradshaw commented that Trump “is not the sitting president right now,” explaining that security measures were less stringent than those in place for an active president.
“If he was, we would have had the entire higher golf course surrounded,” Bradshaw remarked. "But because he's not, security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible.”
Both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were “briefed about the security incident at the Trump International Golf Course, where former President Trump was golfing,” according to a White House spokesperson.
"As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country," Biden stated, expressing relief that Trump was unharmed. He also mentioned that he has instructed his team to ensure that the Secret Service has all necessary resources and protective measures for the former president’s safety.
Harris expressed her concern, stating that 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 headquarters in West Palm Beach was placed on lockdown as a precaution, according to an anonymous source. Trump International Golf Club also underwent lockdown procedures following the incident.
In an email to campaign staff, senior advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles urged vigilance during “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 assured.
This shooting comes just 64 days after Trump was involved in another assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Concerns about Trump’s safety while on the golf course have been expressed privately by those close to him. Even though his country clubs in Florida and New Jersey are private venues, certain boundaries can be seen from the public perimeter.
Fox News host Sean Hannity shared that he spoke with Trump after the incident, revealing that the former president was on the fifth hole of the course with donor and friend Steve Witkoff.
“They heard, ‘Pop-pop, pop-pop,’” Hannity recounted. “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.”
According to Hannity, Secret Service agents “whisked the president away” in an armored vehicle.
Trump confirmed to Hannity that an AK-47 was found and that one individual fled in a car after discarding the firearm. Following the incident, the former president was taken to the clubhouse along with others who were golfing with him.
“I really wanted to finish the hole. I was even [par], and I had a birdie putt,” Trump joked afterward, as relayed by Hannity.
JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, mentioned in a post on X that he spoke with Trump before news broke and noted that the former president “was, amazingly, in good spirits” with “still much we don't know.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham also shared on X that he spoke with Trump, confirming he “is in good spirits and he is more resolved than ever to save our country.”
Both Republicans and Democrats responded to the incident by 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,” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise stated on X. “Grateful for all law enforcement involved who stopped what could’ve been a catastrophe.”
Rep. Adam Schiff, who has been critical of the former president and led his first impeachment proceedings, said 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.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
