Another Would-Be Assassin Targets Trump
The Secret Service has thwarted another assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, though the incident is bound to raise questions about the competence of the government authorities trusted to keep politicians safe.
On Sunday, at 1:30 p.m., the former president (and current presidential candidate) was golfing at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, when his security detail spotted a rifle in the bushes. The Secret Service opened fire, and the would-be assassin fled. He was later apprehended and identified as 57-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh.
The FBI is investigating “what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump,” according to Politico. This is, of course, the second attempt on Trump’s life in two months. Unlike the July 13 attack in Butler, Pennsylvania—in which Trump was wounded in the ear and a bystander was killed—no one was harmed at the golf club on Sunday.
The Secret Service has been widely criticized for failing to prevent the Butler shooting. In that incident, the shooter was able to target Trump from a roof that was technically outside the Secret Service’s security perimeter but well within striking distance of the candidate. Onlookers spotted the shooter first, and then a local police officer was able to engage him; warnings, however, did not reach Trump’s security detail in time.”
Secret Service Directory Kimberly Cheatle ultimately resigned over the agency’s failures.
“A Secret Service investigation has confirmed security breakdowns that paved the way for an attempted assassination of Donald Trump, while also revealing new information—including that agents never directed local police to secure the roof of the building used by the gunman, according to two senior government officials familiar with the probe,” reported The Washington Post just last week.
Given the threats to Trump’s life, one might have expected him to receive additional security while out and about at his golf course. But Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters that the security measures taken were absolutely satisfactory because Trump is not “the sitting president.”
SHERIFF ON TRUMP SECURITY: “He’s not the sitting president. If he was, we would’ve had the entire golf course surrounde
Article from Reason.com
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.