Trump returns to campaign trail for Flint town hall after second assassination attempt: Live updates
Posted on 09/17/2024
Former President Donald Trump was scheduled to hold a town hall Tuesday in Michigan as his campaign rolled on after he once again provided effusive praise for the Secret Service agents who apparently thwarted an assassination attempt at his Florida golf course.
The agency has drawn scrutiny for allowing the suspect, armed with an assault-style rifle, within a few hundred yards of Trump at Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach on Sunday. The incident came two months after a bullet grazed Trump's ear in a shooting at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
Trump, speaking at an event on the X Spaces platform late Monday, blamed Democrats' rhetoric for encouraging would-be assassins. This despite his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, issuing a statement condemning political violence and urging everyone to "do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence."
A White House official said Harris has called Trump to express directly to him that she is grateful that he is safe.
Trump also said his Secret Service detail needs to be expanded. But he lauded the agent who fired shots at the suspect and the agent who whisked Trump and his golfing partners to safety in a golf cart. And he praised the civilian who took photos of the suspect's license plate as he drove away. Trump said the license plate number helped authorities nab the suspect a short time later.
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"The agents did a fantastic job, the civilian did a phenomenal job," he said. Trump's only regret: "I would have loved to sink that last putt, but we decided 'lets get out of here.'"
Keep up with USA TODAY's live coverage in the aftermath of the second assassination attempt targeting Trump.
Trump's supporters wait hours for town hall event
Outside, some Trump supporters waited many hours to see him at the Dort Financial Center, which seats about 4,000 people for hockey and about 6,000 for concerts and was rapidly filling ahead of Trump's scheduled 7 p.m. appearance.
Judy Tidball of the village of Genesee and Linda Bain of Davison, both retired nurses, weren't sure they would make it to the front of line after arriving shortly before 4 p.m. They said they are huge Trump fans and were anxious to see him speak in person.
Bain said thought Trump did a great job as president and she would have great fears for the future of the nation if Harris was elected president. Tidball said she's been hurt by high grocery prices since Biden took office and is also concerned about the border. "I'm all for immigration, but it has to be legal," Tidball said.
? Paul Egan
Where is Trump's town hall tonight?
Trump is returning to the campaign trail on Tuesday for the first time since the thwarted assassination attempt at one of his Florida golf courses. His campaign is holding a town hall-style event, rallying GOP voters in a pivotal swing state.
? Marina Pitofsky
Was Trump shot at again?
No, Ronald Rowe, the acting director of the Secret Service, confirmed that the suspect never had Trump in his line of sight, and he didn't fire any shots.
Still, the incident came after a gunman fired at one of Trump's rallies in Butler, Pennsylvania earlier this year. One attendee was killed, and Trump himself was injured, seen with blood dripping down his face as Secret Service removed him from the stage.
? Marina Pitofsky
Rhetoric 'put a giant target' on Trump, Vance says after second assassination attempt
Just two days after a thwarted assassination attempt against Trump rocked a campaign that had already faced political violence, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, said it's time for everyone ? but namely Democratic politicians and campaigns ? to check their rhetoric ahead of the Nov. 5 election before further violence takes place.
Vance, Trump's running mate on the Republican presidential ticket, spoke to supporters in Michigan Tuesday afternoon about the thwarted assassination attempt on Trump. However, there is no evidence that comments from prominent Democrats inspired the incident.
? Arpan Lobo
Who tried to assassinate Trump? Suspect never had former president in line of sight, Secret Service acting director says
The suspect never had Trump in his line of sight and did not fire any shots, said Ronald Rowe, acting director of the Secret Service. Trump's visit to his golf course in West Palm Beach was not on his public schedule, Rowe noted, adding that it was not clear whether the suspect knew Trump would be there.
? John Bacon
Suspect appeared in court
Suspect Ryan Routh, who appeared in federal court Monday, never fired a shot, authorities said. He was being held on charges of possession of a firearm while a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
? John Bacon
Trump thanks Florida officers who pulled over suspect
Trump held a Mar-a-Lago ceremony for members of the Martin County Sheriff's Office involved in the traffic stop of assassination suspect Ryan Routh.
"I'm still here," Trump joked to the delegation as he thanked deputies for their service, according to video provided by the ex-president's office.
? David Jackson
House panel demands FBI hearing by end of week
The House's bipartisan Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump is requesting a briefing with FBI officials about Sunday's apparent assassination attempt before the end of the week, the panel said Tuesday.
It has also requested a wide-ranging set of documents and interviews with witnesses related to the July 13 assassination attempt, including all related information from the Secret Service, state and local law enforcement, the Trump campaign, and the shooter's family.
The panel is hoping to expand the scope of its inquiry from investigating the July shooting to investigating both. Its report about the first shooting attempt is expected to be released in mid-December.
?Riley Beggin
Police analyzing movements, DNA:Trump assassination attempt suspect probed
Kamala Harris calls Trump after assassination attempt
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris spoke Tuesday with Donald Trump following the latest assassination attempt against him.
A White House official said the vice president called the former president and current Republican presidential nominee to express directly to him that she is grateful that he is safe. The conversation was cordial and brief, the official said.
President Joe Biden spoke with Trump on Monday. Trump was thankful that Biden called to check on him, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
?Michael Collins
Routh had explosive device in 2002
Newly released North Carolina court documents reveal more information about the 2002 charge against Ryan Routh involving the ?weapon of mass destruction? referenced by his new criminal complaint that made him a felon.
The document shows Greensboro Police found Routh with a ?binary explosive with a 10-inch detonation cord and a blasting cap? in April 2002. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives defines these types of material ? such as an oxidizer like ammonium nitrate and a fuel such as aluminum ? as legal when separate, but regulated once combined.
That charge stemmed from the incident depicted in news reports and other court documents where he barricaded himself in his roofing business armed with a machine gun.
A judge sentenced him to 60 months? probation, substance abuse assessment and treatment.
-Nick Penzenstadler
Karine Jean-Pierre: Biden thinks Secret Service needs more resources
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday reiterated President Biden's belief that the Secret Service should have more resources and said that the Biden administration has raised the issue since August. She said that the president has confidence in Secret Service leadership.
In response to a question Trump blaming the president and vice president, Jean-Pierre said both have always forcefully condemned political violence.
"We certainly have never encouraged violence in any way," she told reporters.
They believe that there should be a conversation about the issues, just as there was at last week's debate, Jean Pierre said.
"It is not the time to tear Americans apart," she added. And while they will call that out, they have and will continue to forcefully condemn violence.
"It is important to bring down the temperature," she added.
Later, referring to Jan. 6, the White House press secretary said that the president has to call out "any type of refusal on the outcome of the election, any type of violent rhetoric" and that the administration has a "responsibility" to be honest with the American people about those threats
-Francesca Chambers
Trump again threatens to jail opponents
A second assassination attempt has not tempered Trump's desire to jail opponents he believes are engaged in election fraud. On Tuesday, the former president used his Truth Social account to repost an earlier statement in which he said that "those involved in unscrupulous behavior will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before in our Country."
Trump posted the same "CEASE & DESIST" claim on the night of Sept. 7, repeating unproved claims that Democrats have engaged in "cheating" and "skullduggery." Trump's opponents said he is lying again about the 2020 election and trying to intimidate Democratic voters this time around.
"He's cracking," said an X post from the anti-Trump group The Lincoln Project.
? David Jackson
Ukraine ex-soldier: Routh was 'delusional'
Routh, a vocal supporter of Ukraine, was seen as a liability by some soldiers and volunteers there, a former soldier says. Evelyn Aschenbrenner, also an American citizen, told Reuters they served together in and administrative role with Ukraine's International Legion, claiming Routh "was delusional ... he had this idea that he was the only one who knew how to help Ukraine."
Reuters reported seeing documents confirming Aschenbrenner's Ukrainian military service. Ukraine has said Routh never actually fought in the war. Routh did spend time in Kyiv and sought to recruit Afghans into the Ukrainian military.
"There are hundreds of millions of people in the United States who support Ukraine and clearly they are a diverse group of individuals," Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said Tuesday. "We urge everyone to refrain from artificially linking the suspect's actions to Ukraine."
Golfing partner lauds 'courageous' Trump, 'heroic' agents
Trump's immediate reaction to Sunday's apparent assassination attempt was an inspiration, Trump friend and golfing partner Steve Witkoff says. Witkoff told Fox News he was playing golf with Trump on Sunday afternoon when shots rang out and the former president was evacuated from the golf course.
"It was terrible," Witkoff said. "But I got to see... a man who was stoic, courageous, cared about his friends' safety first before his own life."
Witkoff said the Secret Service reaction was "exceptional." He said agents "secured" Trump after the first gunshot, and by the time the final shot rang out, the president was on his way out of the area. All the shots were fired by the Secret Service in the direction of the suspect, who fled without shooting.
"It was as if they had practiced it 500 times before. It was pretty awesome to watch them," Witkoff said. "They were heroic because their lives were on the line."
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis questions objectivity of federal agencies, says state will investigate
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that he does not have confidence the federal government can conduct a transparent, thorough and impartial probe of Sunday's apparent assassination attempt. DeSantis questioned how agencies attempting to prosecute Trump could also oversee the probe.
He said he would appoint a statewide prosecutor, under the supervision of the state attorney general, because the case crossed several Florida jurisdictions.
"I do think that there's a lot of concern about how these (federal) agencies have operated," DeSantis said at a briefing Tuesday, adding that the state has jurisdiction over "the most serious, straightforward offense, which is attempted murder."
'We will spare no resource': Merrick Garland commits to probe of incident
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said Tuesday morning that the FBI is continuing to investigate the apparent assassination attempt against Trump and is working closely with federal and state law enforcement partners.
"We will all work together to tirelessly determine accountability in this matter," Garland said. "We will spare no resource in this investigation."
Garland was speaking at an anniversary event for a Justice Department office that supports trust-building efforts between local police and communities.
? Aysha Bagchi
Secret Service again scrutinized
The Secret Service didn?t discover a gunman hiding in the bushes of a West Palm Beach golf course Sunday until Trump was 500 yards away from him, raising additional questions about whether the embattled agency is up to the task of safeguarding the GOP nominee. Rowe praised his agents Monday for thwarting what authorities said was the second assassination attempt against Trump in as many months. Rowe called it a ?textbook? example of how his agents were able to identify and neutralize an armed threat to Trump.
Rowe said the Secret Service has significantly beefed up its security measures for Trump since he was shot and wounded in the ear in a July 13 assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Days after that shooting, Rowe told lawmakers he was "ashamed" of security lapses at the rally.
Florida?s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, said he was launching a state probe of the Sunday incident.
?The people deserve the truth about the would-be assassin and how he was able to get within 500 yards,? DeSantis said in a social media post. Read more here.
? Josh Meyer
Secret Service's elevated presence:Agents thwarted potential assassination attempt
'Moving bubble' of agents protects Trump on golf courses
A "moving bubble" of U.S. Secret Service agents thwarted the second assassination attempt against Donald Trump as the former president was playing golf on Sunday. A.T. Smith, the deputy director of the Secret Service from 2012 to 2015, said agents do the best they can to accommodate other golfers while discreetly scouring the terrain for potential threats as Trump and his party continued playing. Trump's protective bubble of agents covers a range of three to five holes ahead of and behind him, using high-tech tools for any sign of a potential assailant, Smith said.
?It looks like we did the same thing we've been doing all along,? former Secret Service Director John Magaw said.
Contributing: Reuters
The agency has drawn scrutiny for allowing the suspect, armed with an assault-style rifle, within a few hundred yards of Trump at Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach on Sunday. The incident came two months after a bullet grazed Trump's ear in a shooting at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
Trump, speaking at an event on the X Spaces platform late Monday, blamed Democrats' rhetoric for encouraging would-be assassins. This despite his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, issuing a statement condemning political violence and urging everyone to "do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence."
A White House official said Harris has called Trump to express directly to him that she is grateful that he is safe.
Trump also said his Secret Service detail needs to be expanded. But he lauded the agent who fired shots at the suspect and the agent who whisked Trump and his golfing partners to safety in a golf cart. And he praised the civilian who took photos of the suspect's license plate as he drove away. Trump said the license plate number helped authorities nab the suspect a short time later.
Sign-up for Your Vote: Text with the USA TODAY elections team.
"The agents did a fantastic job, the civilian did a phenomenal job," he said. Trump's only regret: "I would have loved to sink that last putt, but we decided 'lets get out of here.'"
Keep up with USA TODAY's live coverage in the aftermath of the second assassination attempt targeting Trump.
Trump's supporters wait hours for town hall event
Outside, some Trump supporters waited many hours to see him at the Dort Financial Center, which seats about 4,000 people for hockey and about 6,000 for concerts and was rapidly filling ahead of Trump's scheduled 7 p.m. appearance.
Judy Tidball of the village of Genesee and Linda Bain of Davison, both retired nurses, weren't sure they would make it to the front of line after arriving shortly before 4 p.m. They said they are huge Trump fans and were anxious to see him speak in person.
Bain said thought Trump did a great job as president and she would have great fears for the future of the nation if Harris was elected president. Tidball said she's been hurt by high grocery prices since Biden took office and is also concerned about the border. "I'm all for immigration, but it has to be legal," Tidball said.
? Paul Egan
Where is Trump's town hall tonight?
Trump is returning to the campaign trail on Tuesday for the first time since the thwarted assassination attempt at one of his Florida golf courses. His campaign is holding a town hall-style event, rallying GOP voters in a pivotal swing state.
? Marina Pitofsky
Was Trump shot at again?
No, Ronald Rowe, the acting director of the Secret Service, confirmed that the suspect never had Trump in his line of sight, and he didn't fire any shots.
Still, the incident came after a gunman fired at one of Trump's rallies in Butler, Pennsylvania earlier this year. One attendee was killed, and Trump himself was injured, seen with blood dripping down his face as Secret Service removed him from the stage.
? Marina Pitofsky
Rhetoric 'put a giant target' on Trump, Vance says after second assassination attempt
Just two days after a thwarted assassination attempt against Trump rocked a campaign that had already faced political violence, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, said it's time for everyone ? but namely Democratic politicians and campaigns ? to check their rhetoric ahead of the Nov. 5 election before further violence takes place.
Vance, Trump's running mate on the Republican presidential ticket, spoke to supporters in Michigan Tuesday afternoon about the thwarted assassination attempt on Trump. However, there is no evidence that comments from prominent Democrats inspired the incident.
? Arpan Lobo
Who tried to assassinate Trump? Suspect never had former president in line of sight, Secret Service acting director says
The suspect never had Trump in his line of sight and did not fire any shots, said Ronald Rowe, acting director of the Secret Service. Trump's visit to his golf course in West Palm Beach was not on his public schedule, Rowe noted, adding that it was not clear whether the suspect knew Trump would be there.
? John Bacon
Suspect appeared in court
Suspect Ryan Routh, who appeared in federal court Monday, never fired a shot, authorities said. He was being held on charges of possession of a firearm while a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
? John Bacon
Trump thanks Florida officers who pulled over suspect
Trump held a Mar-a-Lago ceremony for members of the Martin County Sheriff's Office involved in the traffic stop of assassination suspect Ryan Routh.
"I'm still here," Trump joked to the delegation as he thanked deputies for their service, according to video provided by the ex-president's office.
? David Jackson
House panel demands FBI hearing by end of week
The House's bipartisan Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump is requesting a briefing with FBI officials about Sunday's apparent assassination attempt before the end of the week, the panel said Tuesday.
It has also requested a wide-ranging set of documents and interviews with witnesses related to the July 13 assassination attempt, including all related information from the Secret Service, state and local law enforcement, the Trump campaign, and the shooter's family.
The panel is hoping to expand the scope of its inquiry from investigating the July shooting to investigating both. Its report about the first shooting attempt is expected to be released in mid-December.
?Riley Beggin
Police analyzing movements, DNA:Trump assassination attempt suspect probed
Kamala Harris calls Trump after assassination attempt
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris spoke Tuesday with Donald Trump following the latest assassination attempt against him.
A White House official said the vice president called the former president and current Republican presidential nominee to express directly to him that she is grateful that he is safe. The conversation was cordial and brief, the official said.
President Joe Biden spoke with Trump on Monday. Trump was thankful that Biden called to check on him, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
?Michael Collins
Routh had explosive device in 2002
Newly released North Carolina court documents reveal more information about the 2002 charge against Ryan Routh involving the ?weapon of mass destruction? referenced by his new criminal complaint that made him a felon.
The document shows Greensboro Police found Routh with a ?binary explosive with a 10-inch detonation cord and a blasting cap? in April 2002. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives defines these types of material ? such as an oxidizer like ammonium nitrate and a fuel such as aluminum ? as legal when separate, but regulated once combined.
That charge stemmed from the incident depicted in news reports and other court documents where he barricaded himself in his roofing business armed with a machine gun.
A judge sentenced him to 60 months? probation, substance abuse assessment and treatment.
-Nick Penzenstadler
Karine Jean-Pierre: Biden thinks Secret Service needs more resources
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday reiterated President Biden's belief that the Secret Service should have more resources and said that the Biden administration has raised the issue since August. She said that the president has confidence in Secret Service leadership.
In response to a question Trump blaming the president and vice president, Jean-Pierre said both have always forcefully condemned political violence.
"We certainly have never encouraged violence in any way," she told reporters.
They believe that there should be a conversation about the issues, just as there was at last week's debate, Jean Pierre said.
"It is not the time to tear Americans apart," she added. And while they will call that out, they have and will continue to forcefully condemn violence.
"It is important to bring down the temperature," she added.
Later, referring to Jan. 6, the White House press secretary said that the president has to call out "any type of refusal on the outcome of the election, any type of violent rhetoric" and that the administration has a "responsibility" to be honest with the American people about those threats
-Francesca Chambers
Trump again threatens to jail opponents
A second assassination attempt has not tempered Trump's desire to jail opponents he believes are engaged in election fraud. On Tuesday, the former president used his Truth Social account to repost an earlier statement in which he said that "those involved in unscrupulous behavior will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before in our Country."
Trump posted the same "CEASE & DESIST" claim on the night of Sept. 7, repeating unproved claims that Democrats have engaged in "cheating" and "skullduggery." Trump's opponents said he is lying again about the 2020 election and trying to intimidate Democratic voters this time around.
"He's cracking," said an X post from the anti-Trump group The Lincoln Project.
? David Jackson
Ukraine ex-soldier: Routh was 'delusional'
Routh, a vocal supporter of Ukraine, was seen as a liability by some soldiers and volunteers there, a former soldier says. Evelyn Aschenbrenner, also an American citizen, told Reuters they served together in and administrative role with Ukraine's International Legion, claiming Routh "was delusional ... he had this idea that he was the only one who knew how to help Ukraine."
Reuters reported seeing documents confirming Aschenbrenner's Ukrainian military service. Ukraine has said Routh never actually fought in the war. Routh did spend time in Kyiv and sought to recruit Afghans into the Ukrainian military.
"There are hundreds of millions of people in the United States who support Ukraine and clearly they are a diverse group of individuals," Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said Tuesday. "We urge everyone to refrain from artificially linking the suspect's actions to Ukraine."
Golfing partner lauds 'courageous' Trump, 'heroic' agents
Trump's immediate reaction to Sunday's apparent assassination attempt was an inspiration, Trump friend and golfing partner Steve Witkoff says. Witkoff told Fox News he was playing golf with Trump on Sunday afternoon when shots rang out and the former president was evacuated from the golf course.
"It was terrible," Witkoff said. "But I got to see... a man who was stoic, courageous, cared about his friends' safety first before his own life."
Witkoff said the Secret Service reaction was "exceptional." He said agents "secured" Trump after the first gunshot, and by the time the final shot rang out, the president was on his way out of the area. All the shots were fired by the Secret Service in the direction of the suspect, who fled without shooting.
"It was as if they had practiced it 500 times before. It was pretty awesome to watch them," Witkoff said. "They were heroic because their lives were on the line."
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis questions objectivity of federal agencies, says state will investigate
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that he does not have confidence the federal government can conduct a transparent, thorough and impartial probe of Sunday's apparent assassination attempt. DeSantis questioned how agencies attempting to prosecute Trump could also oversee the probe.
He said he would appoint a statewide prosecutor, under the supervision of the state attorney general, because the case crossed several Florida jurisdictions.
"I do think that there's a lot of concern about how these (federal) agencies have operated," DeSantis said at a briefing Tuesday, adding that the state has jurisdiction over "the most serious, straightforward offense, which is attempted murder."
'We will spare no resource': Merrick Garland commits to probe of incident
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said Tuesday morning that the FBI is continuing to investigate the apparent assassination attempt against Trump and is working closely with federal and state law enforcement partners.
"We will all work together to tirelessly determine accountability in this matter," Garland said. "We will spare no resource in this investigation."
Garland was speaking at an anniversary event for a Justice Department office that supports trust-building efforts between local police and communities.
? Aysha Bagchi
Secret Service again scrutinized
The Secret Service didn?t discover a gunman hiding in the bushes of a West Palm Beach golf course Sunday until Trump was 500 yards away from him, raising additional questions about whether the embattled agency is up to the task of safeguarding the GOP nominee. Rowe praised his agents Monday for thwarting what authorities said was the second assassination attempt against Trump in as many months. Rowe called it a ?textbook? example of how his agents were able to identify and neutralize an armed threat to Trump.
Rowe said the Secret Service has significantly beefed up its security measures for Trump since he was shot and wounded in the ear in a July 13 assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Days after that shooting, Rowe told lawmakers he was "ashamed" of security lapses at the rally.
Florida?s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, said he was launching a state probe of the Sunday incident.
?The people deserve the truth about the would-be assassin and how he was able to get within 500 yards,? DeSantis said in a social media post. Read more here.
? Josh Meyer
Secret Service's elevated presence:Agents thwarted potential assassination attempt
'Moving bubble' of agents protects Trump on golf courses
A "moving bubble" of U.S. Secret Service agents thwarted the second assassination attempt against Donald Trump as the former president was playing golf on Sunday. A.T. Smith, the deputy director of the Secret Service from 2012 to 2015, said agents do the best they can to accommodate other golfers while discreetly scouring the terrain for potential threats as Trump and his party continued playing. Trump's protective bubble of agents covers a range of three to five holes ahead of and behind him, using high-tech tools for any sign of a potential assailant, Smith said.
?It looks like we did the same thing we've been doing all along,? former Secret Service Director John Magaw said.
Contributing: Reuters
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