Another assassination attempt on Donald Trump raises security concerns

A second apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump mdash this time as he played golf in Florida mdash has rocked a presidential campaign already marred by unprecedented violence and raised questions about how such a thing could have happened for the second time in as many monthsUS Secret Service agents opened fire Sunday afternoon on a man who was spotted pointing an AKstyle rifle through a fence while hiding in the bushes as Trump golfed at his club in West Palm Beach The FBI described it as an apparent attempted assassination on the GOP nomineeAt a Pennsylvania rally in July Trump was grazed in the ear by a bullet when a gunman was able to gain access to an unsecured roof unleashing a hail of bullets that left one of Trumps supporters dead and two others badly injuredWhile the Secret Service has grappled with how to keep Trump safe as he campaigns across the country holding rallies that often draw thousands less attention has focused on his protection when he is off the trail often at his own clubs and propertiesThe fact that there are places along the perimeter of the property where golfers mdash including Trump mdash are visible to those standing behind the fence has long been known to law enforcement While Trump was president news photographers were often able to capture images of him on the greens by finding gaps in the shrubberyWhile Trumps plans to golf on Sunday were not part of any public schedule on days he is not campaigning he can often be found golfing at one of his courses Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach about a 10minute drive from his MaraLago residence is a favorite One of three golf clubs he owns in Florida it boasts 27 holes of championship golf as well as event spaces Trump often eats lunch and holds meetings in the clubhouse between roundsTrump had just returned from a West Coast swing that included stops in Las Vegas and Utah and had announced on social media that he would be delivering remarks Monday from MaraLago about cryptocurrency as he launches a new crypto platformPalm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw noted at a briefing that because Trump is no longer in office security protocols around the course had loosenedldquoHes not the sitting president If he was we would have had this entire golf course surrounded But because hes not his security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible he told reportersLaw enforcement officials praised the work of the agents assigned to protect Trump One agent tasked with jumping one hole ahead of the former president to scope out potential threats managed to spot the gunmans rifle barrel sticking out of the fence that surrounds the golf club and ldquoimmediately engaged that individualrdquo Bradshaw saidIn an email to campaign staff Sunday night senior campaign advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles credited the Secret Service for saving Trump who has praised the agents in his own protective detail for their bravery as they rushed on stage to protect him in Butler PennsylvaniaPresident Trump and everyone accompanying him are safe thanks to the great work of the United States Secret Servicerdquo they wroteUnlike other past presidents and typical VIPs who live in private residences with tall fences or in gated communities Trump has his official residence at his MaraLago club in Palm Beach The club is open to duespaying members who mingle with the former president at meals and at events and can invite their own guests to the propertyMany nights Trump holds court on the clubs patio playing DJ with his iPad While president he once plotted a response to a North Korean missile launch from the candlelit terrace the meeting captured and posted on social media by a club memberThe club is also a popular Palm Beach venue and hosts a constant stream of fundraisers weddings and other events that sometimes see Trump drop by unannouncedSecret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in a social media post that the agency is working closely with the FBI Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office and other law enforcement to investigate what happenedThe incident sparked immediate fingerpointing and calls for answers from Trumps allies on Capitol HillNew York Rep Elise Stefanik the House Republican Conference chair and a close ally of the former president said she was grateful Trump was safe ldquoHowever we must ask ourselves how an assassin was allowed to get this close to President Trump againrdquo The leaders of the bipartisan task force that has been investigating the security failures in Pennsylvania said they were monitoring the situation and had requested a briefing from the Secret ServiceldquoWe are thankful that the former President was not harmed but remain deeply concerned about political violence and condemn it in all of its formsrdquo said Rep Mike Kelly RPa and Rep Jason Crow DColo in a joint statementMeanwhile Florida Gov Ron DeSantis one of Trumps rivals in the GOP primary said his state will conduct its own investigationldquoThe people deserve the truth about the wouldbe assassin and how he was able to get within 500 yards of the former president and current GOP nomineerdquo he wrote in a social media postPresident Joe Biden said in a statement that he was ldquorelievedrdquo that Trump was unharmed and said ldquothere is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our countryrdquo He said he had directed his staff ldquoto continue to ensure that Secret Service has every resource capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former Presidents continued safetyrdquoThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever