Former President Trump has spoken out following the second assassination attempt against him since July, attributing the incident to what he perceives as inflammatory rhetoric from President Biden and Vice President Harris. The incident occurred while Trump was at Trump International in West Palm Beach, Fla., where a gunman was discovered by the Secret Service in the bushes with an AK-47 style rifle pointed towards the green. The suspected gunman, Ryan Wesley Routh, was arrested on I-95 after fleeing the scene.
Trump expressed his belief that the gunman acted on the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, whom he accused of causing him to be targeted. He criticized their characterization of him as a threat to democracy and labeled them as individuals intent on destroying the country. Trump emphasized that he views them as the real threat, referring to them as the 'enemy from within.'
Routh, the suspected gunman, has a history of run-ins with the police dating back to the 1990s and has shown support for Democratic candidates and causes on social media. Trump highlighted the dangers of such rhetoric and its influence on individuals like Routh, whom he described as 'dangerous fools.'
Democrats, on the other hand, have criticized Trump for his handling of the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol, accusing him of being a threat to democracy. Trump, in turn, criticized the media for what he perceived as biased coverage, particularly in his recent debate against Harris.
With the election just 50 days away, Trump cautioned Democrats to be mindful of their rhetoric, accusing them of using highly inflammatory language. Despite his own ability to engage in such rhetoric, Trump claimed he refrains from doing so.
Trump also criticized Biden and Harris' policies, particularly regarding immigration, which he believes are contributing to the country's decline in strength and respect on the global stage. He warned that the destructive impact of their policies is evident in the influx of what he described as 'very dangerous migrants.'
As tensions continue to escalate between the political factions, Trump's remarks underscore the deep divisions and animosity that persist in the current political landscape.