WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — Following a second assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the Secret Service on Monday defended its security measures, calling their response “textbook” after a suspect armed with a semi-automatic rifle was intercepted near Trump’s golf course in southern Florida.
Ronald Rowe Jr., the acting director of the Secret Service, commended agents for their “hypervigilance,” noting that they responded immediately upon seeing the suspect’s weapon. The gunman, identified as Ryan Routh, 58, was apprehended after spending nearly 12 hours near Trump’s location. Authorities charged Routh with firearm-related offenses, as he was a convicted felon.
Enhanced Security After Incident
Although Trump was several hundred yards away at the time, the incident raised concerns about the effectiveness of his security detail, particularly for “off the record” movements. Despite the attack, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw emphasized that security at Mar-a-Lago was now at the same level as when Trump was in office.
GOP Praise and Ongoing Investigations
Republicans, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, applauded the swift response but called for additional security resources. The FBI is continuing to investigate whether Routh acted alone and is reviewing his background, which includes a 2019 tip regarding his illegal possession of firearms.
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