Vice President Kamala Harris called for peace in the hours after a second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
“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,” she posted on X. “Violence has no place in America.”
Trump survived after another attempted assassination attempt within two months Sunday afternoon when the Secret Service shot at a man at Trump International Golf Club they suspected of having a gun. He was later pulled over by Martin County police officers and taken into custody.
Statements and reactions poured in from both sides of the aisle in Washington, with the White House saying Harris and President Joe Biden were aware of what happened.
“The President and Vice President have been briefed about the security incident at the Trump International Golf Course, where former President Trump was golfing,” the White House statement said. “They are relieved to know that he is safe. They will be kept regularly updated by their team.”
Sen. J.D. Vance, Trump’s running mate, said that he talked to Trump before news of the shooting was announced.
“I’m glad President Trump is safe. I spoke to him before the news was public and he was, amazingly, in good spirits,” Vance wrote. “Still much we don’t know, but I’ll be hugging my kids extra tight tonight and saying a prayer of gratitude.”
Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN), Harris’s running mate, posted well wishes for Trump.
“Gwen and I are glad to hear that Donald Trump is safe,” he said. “Violence has no place in our country. It’s not who we are as a nation.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said he was briefed by the Secret Service.
“I applaud the Secret Service for their quick response to ensure former President Trump’s safety,” he said. “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.”
Former President Barack Obama retweeted Harris’s post, and later posted about a golf tournament in Virginia, a move that drew some controversy online.
Trump himself posted a statement saying “nothing will slow me down.”
“There were gunshots in my vicinity but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL. Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!” he wrote in an email sent from the campaign.
The suspect has been identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, according to Fox News.
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Authorities during an evening press briefing said they found several objects in the bushes where the suspect was spotted, including an AK-47 style rifle with a scope, two backpacks with ceramic tile in them hung on the fence, and a GoPro camera he apparently planned to film with.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said that Trump still does not receive a complete perimeter protection because he is not the president, and that protection measures would be stepped up further if he is elected.
