Former President Donald Trump on Monday shifted blame to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for an apparent assassination attempt against him at his Florida golf club. Trump claimed the suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, who voted for Trump in 2016, was influenced by what he called the inflammatory rhetoric of Biden and Harris.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Trump asserted, “believed the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, and he acted on it.” Trump added, “Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at, when I am the one who is going to save the country, and they are the ones that are destroying the country — both from the inside and out.” He criticized Biden and Harris for labeling him as a threat to democracy, declaring, “These are people who want to destroy our country. They are the real threat.”
“They use highly inflammatory language,” Trump said. “I can use it too — far better than they can — but I don’t,” he added.
Trump’s accusations come amid his own frequent use of inflammatory language against his political rivals and law enforcement. Known for his provocative and often incendiary rhetoric, Trump has regularly attacked those who oppose him, including judges overseeing his cases and prosecutors bringing charges against him.
In response to the incident, Biden, Harris, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz expressed relief that Routh was apprehended before he could harm Trump. Harris, who was briefed on the situation, commented on social media, “I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.”
Both Democrats and moderate Republicans have repeatedly argued that Trump poses a significant threat to U.S. democracy, referencing the January 6 insurrection and his broader political conduct. In fact, a wave of prominent Republicans have endorsed Harris for president, citing Trump’s danger to democracy.
Routh, the individual charged in the assassination attempt, was charged two firearm-related counts on Monday: possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Court documents reveal that authorities found an SKS-style rifle with a scope among other items when Routh was apprehended after fleeing from a Secret Service agent.
If convicted, Routh faces a maximum of 15 years in prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and up to 5 years for possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. A detention hearing is scheduled for September 23, and his arraignment is set for September 30.
