U.S Vice President, Kamala Harris has condemned the “possible assassination attempt” against Donald Trump.
On Sunday, September 15, 2024, Trump became the victim of a second assassination bid in the space of two months
Security forces apprehended a suspect after a gun barrel was spotted in the bushes of Trump International golf course in West Palm Beach ahead of where the former president was playing. The suspect had fled after security forces opened fire. An AK-47 style assault rifle and scope were recovered from the scene.
The suspected gunman has been named as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, a vocal supporter of Ukraine’s war efforts.
The FBI said that it is investigating “what appears to be an attempted assassination” of Trump.
In her statement, Harris said that she was deeply disturbed by assassination attempt.
“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.
Kamala Harris
I am thankful that former President Trump is safe. I commend the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement partners for their vigilance.”
“As President Biden said, our Administration will ensure the Secret Service has every resource, capability, and protective measure necessary to carry out its critical mission,” she added.
Also, UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, who was recently in Washington to meet President Joe Biden, said that he was “very worried” about the apparent assassination attempt on Trump.
“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.”
Keir Starmer
Several prominent foreign leaders also commented on the incident.
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that he and his wife were “shocked” by the news and “relieved to hear” the bid had failed.
“But we should not rely on luck,” he added.
He said that he hoped that “all measures will be taken to ensure that such deadly attacks on a candidate for the US presidency will be foiled in advance.”
In Hungary, Viktor Orbán posted to social media to say “It is clear that President Trump’s life is in danger, until his victory. We are praying for you, Mr President!”
Putin Spokesperson Responds Suspected Gunman’s Links To Ukraine
The Kremlin responded to the Ukrainian links of the alleged gunman and stated that “playing with fire” has consequences.
“It is not us who should be thinking. It is the US intelligence services who should be thinking. In any case, playing with fire has its consequences,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, referring to US support of Ukraine against Russia.
According to social media accounts with the suspect’s name, Routh appears to be an avid supporter of Ukraine.
The suspect arrested, 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, had visited Ukraine since the war began attempting to drum up support from the west.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he was glad that Trump remained “safe and unharmed.”
Zelenskyy also condemned the apparent assassination attempt.
Later, the Kremlin stated that the potential assassination attempt on Trump was a sign that the US election campaign was “intensifying.”
“We can see how tense the situation is there, including between political rivals – the political fight is intensifying,” Peskov said.
“We are watching it closely, but we have never interfered in this in any way and we are not interfering now,” he added.
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