Harris expresses relief Trump safe after gunshots
Vice President Harris on Sunday expressed relief that former President Trump was safe following what the FBI said appeared to be a new assassination attempt on him in Florida.
“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,” Harris wrote Sunday afternoon on the social platform X.
The Secret Service fired shots after a man with an AK-style rifle reportedly pushed the firearm’s muzzle through the permitter of the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, the Associated Press reported, citing three law enforcement officials.
The man then dropped the weapon and fled the scene in an SUV, the AP added. He was reportedly later apprehended in a neighboring county.
The Democratic presidential nominee’s remarks came shortly after Trump’s campaign confirmed the former president is safe after gunshots were reported in his vicinity in Florida.
Trump was the victim of an assassination attempt in July. The former president was hit in the ear, and another man at his rally was killed in that shooting.
“President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time,” Trump communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement.
The incident occurred in the vicinity of the Trump International Golf Course in Palm Beach County, Fla., where Trump was playing golf Sunday.
The Trump campaign did not provide any further information, though the White House later confirmed the incident.
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said on X the agency is working with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in investigating a “protective incident” involving Trump shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday. He confirmed Trump is safe. A briefing is expected later Sunday afternoon.
The Hill reached out to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, West Palm Police Department, Secret Service and the Trump Organization for further comment.
President Biden was also briefed on the matter, the White House said in a pool report.
Harris and Biden were “relieved to know that he is safe. They will be kept regularly updated by their team,” the White House said.
The Trump campaign addressed the shooting in a fundraising email later Sunday, writing, “ALERT FROM TRUMP. 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. I will always love you for supporting me. Unity. Peace. Make America Great Again. May God bless you,” the email said.
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The earlier attempted assassination raised concerns about the Secret Service’s lack of preparedness to protect the former president.
The fallout from the Secret Service’s preparation and response to the shooting prompted Director Kimberly Cheatle to resign in July following a disastrous appearance before Congress to review the incident.
This story was updated at 5:33 p.m.
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