Florida politicians, organizations react after apparent Trump assassination attempt in West Palm Beach
MIAMI — Florida politicians from both parties are speaking out after an incident Sunday that the FBI described as an apparent assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.
The Secret Service said agents opened fire at a man who was pointing a high-powered rifle at the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, where Trump was golfing Sunday afternoon. The suspect has been taken into custody.
Trump is safe and was not harmed during the incident.
Law enforcement officials said the suspect fled, but witnesses got his license plate number and he was pulled over and detained in Martin County, near Palm City, about 45 miles north of the golf course.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said an AK-47-style rifle with a scope was found at the scene along the golf course fence, along with a backpack and GoPro camera.
"President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity," Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.
Florida Republicans and Democrats shared their reactions to the incident, saying they're relieved Trump is safe.
Republican Party
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said on X that the state will conduct its own investigation into the assassination attempt, saying "people deserve the truth" about the incident.
The State of Florida will be conducting its own investigation regarding the attempted assassination at Trump International Golf Club.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 16, 2024
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…
Sen. Rick Scott said on X that he and his wife Ann were "grateful" for the law enforcement agencies that responded to the incident.
Thank God that President @realDonaldTrump is safe. Ann and I are grateful for the law enforcement that bravely responded.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) September 15, 2024
"Thank God that President [Donald Trump] is safe," he stated.
The Republican Party of Florida asked for prayers for Trump as the investigation continues.
Please join us in praying for President Trump. This madness has to stop! #TrumpStrong https://t.co/8jIfGcK5al
— Florida GOP (@FloridaGOP) September 15, 2024
"This madness has to stop!" the organization shared on X.
Florida GOP Chair Evan Power reposted the party's comments.
Democratic Party
U.S. Senate candidate and former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell said there is "no place" for violence of any kind.
"Gun violence, and political violence, have no place in our society," she said.
Gun violence, and political violence, have no place in our society. PERIOD.
— Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (@DebbieforFL) September 15, 2024
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava shared the same sentiment as Mucarsel-Powell, saying that she was "horrified" to learn that the former president was the victim of an attempted attack.
Horrified to hear that former President Trump was the victim of an attempted attack today in West Palm Beach and grateful that he is unharmed. Violence of this kind goes against everything we stand for as Americans.https://t.co/SpNqoVwyNv
— Daniella Levine Cava (@MayorDaniella) September 15, 2024
"Violence of this kind goes against everything we stand for as Americans," she said on X.
The Democratic Party of Florida continued with this sentiment and shared Vice President Kamala Harris' statement on the incident, saying America's "political leaders must not be targets of violence."
Our political leaders must not be targets of violence — we are relieved the former president is unharmed following a potential assassination attempt in Palm Beach County earlier today.
— Florida Democrats (@FlaDems) September 15, 2024
Thank you to Florida’s law enforcement, we are grateful for their swift response. https://t.co/0jIpuLsit1
"We are relieved the former president is unharmed following a potential assassination attempt in Palm Beach County earlier [Sunday]," the party shared on X.