Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump pointed to “the rhetoric of [Joe] Biden and [Kamala] Harris” as responsible for the second apparent assassination attempt against him at his Florida golf club in an interview with Fox News Digital on Monday.
“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,” Trump said in the interview, without citing specific evidence.
Harris and Biden both released statements condemning political violence on Sunday.
“We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence,” Harris said in her statement, adding that she was “deeply disturbed” by the apparent attempt on Trump’s life.
In his statement, Biden said he was “relieved” Trump was unharmed and that he has “directed my team to continue to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former president’s continued safety.” He called for greater funding for the Secret Service on Monday.
Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspected gunman, was charged on Monday with gun crimes related to the incident at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. Authorities say a Secret Service agent saw Routh pointing an AK-47-style rifle through the fence toward the golf course, and he was apprehended before he was able to fire any shots.
Routh’s motive remained unclear as of Monday afternoon.
Trump told Fox News Digital that the president and vice president are responsible for Routh’s actions because of the “combination of rhetoric and lawsuits they wrap me up in. These are the things that dangerous fools, like the shooter, listen to — that is the rhetoric they listen to, and the same with the first [assassination attempt]."
The Harris campaign and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment in response to Trump’s Monday interview.
The FBI is investigating the incident as an apparent assassination attempt, the agency said Sunday. The state of Florida also plans to conduct its own investigation as well, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday.
Trump also referenced last week’s presidential debate with Harris on ABC News in the interview, calling it “so biased and so out of control” and that with the vice president and two moderators, it was “three against one.”
He doubled down on blaming Harris and Biden in a social media post on Monday. “The Rhetoric, Lies, as exemplified by the false statements made by Comrade Kamala Harris during the rigged and highly partisan ABC Debate, and all of the ridiculous lawsuits specifically designed to inflict damage on Joe’s, then Kamala’s, Political Opponent, ME, has taken politics in our Country to a whole new level of Hatred, Abuse, and Distrust. Because of this Communist Left Rhetoric, the bullets are flying, and it will only get worse!” Trump wrote.
At least one Republican lawmaker agreed with Trump that Democrats are provoking the attempted violence against him.
“When you have this narrative coming from the left, from [the] media, from elected officials, even, that Trump has to be stopped by any means necessary, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that these people are being radicalized and taking action like this,” Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) said in an interview with Fox News on Sunday.
House Speaker Mike Johnson called the thwarting of the apparent assassination attempt an act of God.
“It is something that no one can deny: God has spared his life twice now,” Johnson said Monday on Fox News, adding, “These things aren’t accidents, it’s not luck. I believe it’s providence and we talked about that. It’s a remarkable thing, it would move any man’s heart. I believe he’s processing that right now.”
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