(The Center Square) – Former President Donald Trump released a statement responding to the assassination attempt against him over the weekend.
“I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes – It was certainly an interesting day!” Trump wrote on TruthSocial. “Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible job done today at Trump International in keeping me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican Nominee in the upcoming Presidential Election, SAFE. THE JOB DONE WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!”
Law enforcement opened fire on an alleged assassin Sunday afternoon and later arrested him. He had an AK-47 and was 300-500 yards from the president, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.
The FBI confirmed it as an attempted assassination against Trump, the second this year, and opened an investigation.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a former political opponent of Trump’s in the Republican presidential primary, announced on Sunday his own investigation into the attempted assassination.
“The State of Florida will be conducting its own investigation regarding the attempted assassination at Trump International Golf Club,” DeSantis wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The people deserve the truth about the would be assassin and how he was able to get within 500 yards of the former president and current GOP nominee.”
Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s Democratic opponent, condemned the violence after news broke out.
Trump’s other former opponents extended well-wishes to Trump and calls for unity and prayer.
“After the second assassination attempt on President Trump, it is time for Christians, left and right, red or blue, Black and white, to come together, to pray for this nation, to pray for a political process without any violence,” Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., another former Trump primary opponent, wrote on X. “It is what America needs.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a close ally of the U.S., posted that he was “relieved” to hear the attempt failed.
“We send our best wishes to Donald and Melania along with our hopes that all measures will be taken to ensure that such deadly attacks on a candidate for the US presidency will be foiled in advance,” Netanyahu said.
Others raised concerns about Trump’s security and the Secret Service, which has been under ongoing scrutiny since the near-fatal assassination attempt against Trump in July.
“The FBI confirmed this was a SECOND assassination attempt on President Trump’s life,” Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., wrote on X. “Experts warned this would happen again. We need to know why this keeps happening!”
