Donald Trump recounted the moment Secret Service agents seized him following the sound of “four or five” gunshots during a suspected assassination attempt while he was enjoying a round of golf.
The Republican presidential candidate referred to the occurrences on Sunday afternoon at his Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida, as “quite extraordinary,” adding that “everything turned out fine.”
Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, is currently facing federal firearms charges after a Secret Service officer noticed a rifle protruding from the foliage and opened fire on him.
The Secret Service confirmed that the sole gunfire during the event came from its agent.
According to an FBI analysis of mobile data, Routh lingered around the golf course in West Palm Beach for approximately 12 hours before he was identified by the agent.
During a social media event hosted by X, Mr. Trump shared: “I was playing golf with some friends on a tranquil Sunday morning, with lovely weather… then abruptly, we heard shots fired into the air, I estimate about four or five, and they sounded like bullets.”
“The Secret Service immediately identified the sound as bullets, and they took hold of me… everyone swiftly jumped into the [golf] carts and we relocated.”
Commending the Secret Service for their “exceptional performance,” he added: “There was no doubt we were leaving that course.”
“I would have relished making that last putt, but we resolved to get out of [that situation].”
Mr. Trump characterized the suspect as a “highly dangerous individual” whom he hopes will spend “an extended period” in prison.
The former president expressed that the suspected attempt on his life resulted in a “much more favorable outcome” compared to the first assassination attempt during a rally in July, as there were no injuries or fatalities among bystanders.
“That was a wild day, and then yesterday unfolded quite differently, indeed a far more favorable outcome,” he remarked.
Investigators are forensically examining Routh’s GoPro camera, two bags, and his firearm, in addition to his phone.
Trump’s golf session was not planned
Earlier on Monday, Ronald Rowe Jr., interim director of the Secret Service, indicated that Mr. Trump’s golfing was an “off the record movement” and “he wasn’t supposed to have been there,” leaving agents without ample time to inspect the whole golf venue.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Secret Service ‘needs more help’
In light of the calls for the Secret Service to bolster Mr. Trump’s security, Mr. Rowe mentioned that he had communicated with the former president and he is “aware that he has the utmost levels of protection” from the agency.
This comes after Joe Biden informed reporters that it is “apparent the service needs additional support” and urged Congress to “address their requirements”.
In what was characterized by the White House as a “friendly chat,” President Biden also reached out to Mr. Trump.
“He was quite kind, calling to ensure that I was alright,” Mr. Trump conveyed to cryptocurrency influencer Farokh Sarmad, who was conducting the interview on X.
Secret Service acting director Ronald Rowe Jr. Pic: Reuters
The president additionally solicited Mr. Trump’s perspective on whether he “requires more personnel on [his] detail”.
Currently, authorities do not suspect that Routh was collaborating with others, but they acknowledge that he maintained an active online presence and are gathering information regarding his movements in the weeks leading up to his arrest.
