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PRESSURE is mounting on the Secret Service after a suspected second assassination attempt on Donald Trump at his Florida golf course.
Republicans have called for answers over how gunman Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, managed to get within 500 yards of the ex-President.
Investigators searching the area around the West Palm Beach golf club[/caption]
Routh was 500 yards from the former President[/caption]
Trump was playing golf when Secret Service spotted someone with a weapon in the bushes[/caption]
An AK-47-style rifle, two backpacks and a GoPro camera were found in the bush[/caption]
The registered Democrat, who is currently in custody, was hiding in the bushes with an AK-47 near where Trump was playing at the West Palm Beach golf club.
The FBI confirmed they saved Trump’s life from an “assassination attempt” and they launched an investigation into the incident.
The United States Secret Service has come under fire after the apparent attempt against the ex-President – the second in two months – amid concerns over his safety.
Trump was shot in the ear by Thomas Matthew Crooks in Pennsylvania on July 13.
The 20-year-old was shot dead by Secret Service snipers shortly after opening fire.
Republicans have demanded answers over the assassination attempt and demanded the ex-President receive the same security as Joe Biden.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the state will conduct its own investigation.
He said: “The people deserve the truth about the would-be assassin and how he was able to get within 500 yards of the former president and current GOP nominee,” Mr DeSantis said.
Joe Biden said: “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.”
Questions have been raised over the efficiency of Trump’s security detail with calls for him to receive the same protection as Joe Biden.
The Secret Service is tasked to provide 24-hour protection of the President, Vice President, former holders of both offices and all presidential and vice presidential candidates – but Trump does not receive the same level of protection.
Vivek Ramaswamy called on the Secret Service to “immediately step up its protection” for Trump “to the same level they provide to Biden”.
“There’s no excuse not to at this point,” he said.
Republican House majority leader Steve Scalise said:”Authorities just acknowledged if President Trump was president, they’d do more to protect him.
“This must change, Secret Service must up their level of protection of him to their full capabilities—including expanding the perimeter.”
The former President was playing golf on Sunday when the Secret Service agents spotted someone aiming with an AK-47 hiding in the bushes – just 400-500 yards from Trump.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said: “With a rifle and a scope, that’s not a long distance.”
When asked how was the suspect able to get so close to Trump, Bradshaw said that someone can be pretty much out of sight due to shrubbery.
He added that if Trump was a sitting president, “we would have had this entire golf course surrounded”.
Questions have also been raised over the suspect’s knowledge of Trump’s whereabouts on Sunday.
Former member of the Close Protection Unit, Royal Military Police Richard Aitch told The Sun: “Trump had decided to play golf at the last minute.
“So the threat had to know the place, date, time, and activity of the target.
“Raise the question – how did that threat obtain information intelligence needed to actually plot up in advance – of knowing the route, time, and date of where his chosen target is going to be.
“One question no doubt the Secret Service will need to get to the bottom of. “
He said the Secret Service has likely gone one or two holes ahead to clear the way.
He continued: “Wasn’t a security lapse in true definition – but how did that man get there in that position with a rifle? That’s another question that’s going to be answered.”
The security expert also questioned why a drone was not used.
He added: “It does beg the question that in this age of technology, why a drone wasn’t used.
“The advantage of drones is with thermal capability – anyone lying in wait – in dense foliage, or tree lines is going to be immediately identified.”
The suspect attempted to flee the scene in an SUV in a black Nissan but a member of the public took a picture of the car’s number plate.
Cops from Martin County were able to pull him over and arrest him shortly afterwards.
He said before returning to the course: “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE.
“Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER! I will always love you for supporting me. Unity. Peace. Make America Great Again. May God bless you.”
In a statement, The White House said President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been briefed on the security incident involving Trump and they are both “relieved to know that he is safe.”
“They will be kept regularly updated by their team,” The White House added.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr wrote on X: “Again folks! SHOTS FIRED at Trump Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida.
“An AK-47 was discovered in the bushes, per local law enforcement. The Trump campaign has released a statement confirming former President Trump is safe.
“A suspect has reportedly been apprehended.”
The White House said President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris were being kept informed on the 2pm incident on Sunday.
Biden said he was “relieved” Trump was “unharmed”.
He said: “A suspect is in custody, and I commend the work of the Secret Service and their law enforcement partners for their vigilance and their efforts to keep the former president and those around him safe.
“As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country.”
Biden added he had directed his team to make sure the Secret Service has “every resource, capability and protective measure necessary” to keep Trump safe.
Harris, who met Trump for the first time in person at a debate last Tuesday, said: “I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe.
“Violence has no place in America.”
While Sir Keir Starmer said he was “very worried” about what he said looked like an assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
The Prime Minister told broadcasters in Rome: “I was very worried by the news about this attempt. Looks like an assassination attempt, very worried about it.”
He added: “Obviously, there’s now an investigation going on so I won’t say much more about the details, but I think it is really important that we’re all very, very clear that violence has no part to play at all in any political process.
“So, deeply troubled. Let the investigation take its place. But absolute clarity: violence, no place in political discussion at all, anywhere.”
The suspect travelled to Ukraine after the Russian invasion[/caption]
The suspect tried to flee the scene in a black Nissan[/caption]
