A chilling incident on a Florida golf course reveals the swift reaction of Secret Service agents to protect former President Donald Trump from a potential assassin.
People magazine reported that Steve Witkoff, Trump's golf partner, witnessed the Secret Service's rapid response during an apparent assassination attempt at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.
Witkoff described the scene to Good Morning America, praising the agents for their quick action in protecting the former president. The suspect, armed with a rifle, was spotted by an agent patrolling the perimeter of the golf course, leading to a swift intervention that potentially saved Trump's life.
According to Witkoff's account, the Secret Service agents reacted with precision and speed when the threat was detected. He observed a flurry of activity as multiple agents surrounded Trump, prioritizing his safety above all else. Witkoff told Good Morning America:
I saw the Secret Service do exactly what they're supposed to do, which was get right on top of the president. They did that job in an exemplary way.
The incident unfolded when a Secret Service agent, walking the perimeter of the golf course, spotted a rifle protruding from a treeline. The agent immediately fired shots toward the rifle, causing the suspect to flee the scene.
Witkoff recounted hearing four shots in quick succession, followed by the agents whisking Trump away to safety. The suspected assassin had apparently created a hidden position near the sixth hole of the golf course, described by Witkoff as a "lair."
Despite the gravity of the situation, Trump reportedly showed concern for others present on the golf course. Witkoff observed Trump gesturing and looking over toward his friends and staffers as he was being rushed away, indicating his worry for their safety.
The suspect, later identified as Ryan Routh, was apprehended following the incident. Routh, 58, faces charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. His initial court appearance took place on September 16, with a detention hearing scheduled for September 23.
Secret Service acting director Ronald L. Rowe Jr. revealed that Trump's golf outing was not on his official schedule, describing it as an "off-the-record movement." This unexpected change in plans meant that the agency had not conducted a thorough search of the perimeter before Trump began golfing.
In light of this second assassination attempt on Trump in recent months, there have been calls for increased security measures and resources for the Secret Service. Rowe emphasized the need for a shift from a reactive to a readiness model in protecting presidents and other high-profile individuals.
President Joe Biden echoed these sentiments, stating that the Secret Service "needs more help" and urging Congress to respond to their needs. Biden emphasized the importance of preventing such incidents and not giving them "any oxygen."
Trump claimed that rhetoric from Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris contributed to the assassination attempt, while Democrats have criticized Trump for his own past statements. The incident has highlighted the ongoing tensions in American politics and the potential consequences of heated political discourse.
The attempted assassination of Donald Trump at his golf club in Florida has brought the issue of political violence to the forefront once again. Secret Service agents' quick response potentially saved the former president's life, as witnessed by his golf partner Steve Witkoff. The incident has sparked calls for increased security measures and resources for the Secret Service. As investigations continue, the event serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions in American politics and the need for vigilance in protecting public figures.
