Secret service thwarts assassination attempt on Trump at golf course

The police in Florida have detained a man who was likely planning to assassinate former President Donald Trump. The potential assassin hid in the bushes near the golf course where the Republican candidate was playing.

As reported at a press conference by Ric Bradshaw, sheriff of West Palm Beach, where Trump's golf club is located, around 18:30 GMT, Secret Service agents noticed a man hiding with an AK-47 rifle in the bushes under the club's fence. The man was approximately 270 to 460 metres from Trump and had a telescopic sight. Bradshaw assessed that, considering the sight, this was not a long distance.

The president's security fired five to six missed shots in his direction, after which the man fled, leaving the weapon in the bushes and departing in a black Nissan. Shortly thereafter, the Nissan driver was detained in a neighbouring county. Besides the rifle with a scope, he was equipped with ceramic plates and a GoPro camera.

The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, is awaiting charges. According to CNN, he is over 50 years old.

Bradshaw said that the Secret Service noticed the hiding man because, when Trump plays golf, they always check the next two holes ahead of him. The would-be assassin was there, and the barrel of his rifle was sticking out from behind the fence.

Even before the official information about the potential assassin was released, Trump's campaign sent out emails to supporters assuring them that the former president was unharmed.

There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumours start spiralling 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! – Trump wrote.

– I have directed my team to continue to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President’s continued safety – President Joe Biden said in a statement about the thwarted attempt on his former rival's life.

II am relieved that the former President is unharmed. There is an active investigation into this incident as law enforcement gathers more details about what happened (...) As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country," Biden wrote in a statement released by the White House.

Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump's rival, also commented on the matter.

"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," she wrote in a post on X.