Former President Donald Trump was reported to be safe after a second possible assassination attempt took place Sept. 15. While Trump golfed at his Florida club, a man allegedly positioned himself behind shrubs and waited with his assault riffle to fire onto the golf course. Secret Service agents were able to fire a few shots toward the suspect, RyanWesley Routh. He fled the scene but was apprehended shortly after by authorities. Routh faces two federal charges: possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with a demolished serial number. There have been no charges against him for an assassination attempt.
Routh is under interrogation by the FBI with the hopes of finding out a motive. History is taking a turn for the worse with assassination attempts trending closer together than ever before.Political violence has become more frequent in the U.S. After the first attempt on Trump’s life in mid-July, it is becoming clearer that former presidents may need just as much Secret Service protection as current presidents. Trump made it out of his rally by the turn of his head as bullets from an AR-15-style rifle flew across the stage and into the crowd.
Two months later, with another attack, political leaders have a lot to consider when it comes to their safety. There has been rhetoric from the left and right wings during this election season. Can this be the reason behind political violence? Vice President Kamala Harris said, “I am in this election, in this race for many reasons, including to fight for our democracy, and in a democracy, there is no place for political violence.”
