Gunman attacks at close range, Trump narrowly escapes
Former US President Trump suffered a second assassination attempt on September 15 at a golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. Trump was playing golf at the course, just 300 to 500 yards away from the shooter. The suspect was targeted by the Secret Service and opened fire. Although the incident was thrilling, Trump was not injured and was immediately escorted to a safe location.
According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, the shooter was 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, who was arrested after the incident. An AK-47 style rifle, two backpacks filled with tiles and a GoPro camera attached to a fence were found at the scene.
After the incident, the Trump campaign team quickly issued a statement, emphasizing that Trump was currently safe, and stated in a fundraising email: "The gunfire rang out, but I was unscathed! Nothing can stop me, and I will never give in. !" This attack once again raised concerns about Trump's security, and the FBI has launched a comprehensive investigation.
Source: Free Press Journal The suspect in Trump’s assassination is 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh
Gunman calmly faces arrest, FBI conducts full investigation
According to local media reports, the gunman Routh looked calm and showed no obvious mood swings when he was arrested. Police stopped him on Interstate 95 and tracked him based on a license plate number provided by witnesses at the scene. The FBI has taken over the case and is fully investigating the motives and background of the assassination attempt.
This is the second assassination attempt on Trump in just two months. On July 13 this year, Trump was shot at a rally in Pennsylvania. Although only his ear was grazed by a bullet, these two incidents showed that the risk of attacks against Trump is increasing. Jeffrey Veltri, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Miami Field Office, said the FBI will mobilize all resources to investigate and ensure that this type of incident never happens again.
The attack sparked condemnation and political leaders highlighted security concerns
After the incident, the White House stated that President Biden and Vice President Harris had received a briefing on the incident and would continue to monitor the latest developments. Harris also posted on social media to express concern for Trump's safety, strongly condemned violence, and called for maintaining a peaceful political environment.
"Violence should have no place and I'm glad Trump is safe," she wrote.
In addition to triggering strong reactions in the political circles, this incident also made Trump's supporters more worried about his safety. Many have called for greater protections for Trump, especially at future public events and campaign rallies. Trump’s campaign team also stated that this assassination attempt will not change Trump’s next schedule and that he will continue to campaign and fight for the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
Picture source: X He Jinli expresses her views on the incident
The suspect's motive is unknown, and security issues have once again triggered discussions
At present, the authorities have not announced the specific motive of the suspect Routh. They only know that he left weapons and camera equipment at the scene of the incident. The incident is reminiscent of the increasing number of attacks against politicians in recent years. As Trump's political influence has grown, so have attempts at violence against him, forcing authorities to reassess the safety of presidential candidates and other important political figures.
This assassination attempt not only raised concerns about Trump's personal safety, but also made people think again about the deep-seated issues behind political violence. In the current increasingly confrontational political environment in the United States, ensuring the safety of politicians has become a top priority.
Why can’t the United States ban guns?
This incident also triggered discussions among many netizens. The issue of gun control in the United States has long been the focus of social controversy. So why does the United States not ban guns?
Image source: X WTF Academy founder 0xAA raised doubts about the "gun ban"
However, many politicians have reservations about a total gun ban. Trump himself has often publicly stated his support for the right to own guns and emphasized the importance of the Second Amendment to the United States, making it more difficult to promote gun control during his term. Gun supporters believe that owning a gun is a symbol of self-defense and maintaining personal freedom, and Trump himself is a gun owner, further strengthening this position. In such a political atmosphere, a comprehensive ban on guns faces great resistance, because it not only involves issues of constitutional rights and personal freedoms, but also is related to powerful gun interest groups.
Among them, the National Rifle Association (NRA), as the largest gun rights advocacy organization in the United States, has a close relationship with Trump. The NRA provided significant financial support to Trump during his campaign and actively promoted his pro-gun policies. Trump has repeatedly spoken at the NRA’s annual convention, reiterating his defense of gun rights. This close partnership was reflected in the many gun control bills that were shelved or failed to pass during his administration, demonstrating the NRA's deep influence within the Republican Party and in American politics. That backdrop makes pushing for stricter gun control measures extremely difficult.
