The weapon that a man used to come within a few hundred meters of Donald Trump on Sunday can kill someone from a distance. The Secret Service prevented a disaster, say retired generals Peter van Uhm and Mart de Kruif in Goedemorgen Nederland on NPO 1.
Trump was at his golf course in West Palm Beach on Sunday when multiple shots were fired. The Secret Service spotted the alleged shooter in the bushes near the golf course. They fired shots. The 58-year-old suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, dropped his gun and two backpacks and fled in a black Nissan, but was apprehended in a nearby community. Trump was unharmed.
“My first question is: how does that man know that Trump is there?” says Van Uhm. “There are really only two possibilities. Either there is a leak in Trump’s agenda, and then the security services really have a problem, or the man was there to see who was playing golf and then suddenly sees Trump. That is very important to find out.”
“Someone can bet that Trump is on the golf course, but that chance seems very small to me,” De Kruif adds. He thinks that Routh’s attempt was “somewhat amateurish.” “He leaves his weapon behind when he leaves. We would never do that.”
AK-47
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It is an AK-47 rifle. With that, he could have taken out Trump from a distance, says Van Uhm. “A trained shooter from 400 meters. No problem.” The security services prevented a disaster, says the former Commander of the Armed Forces. “It is very clever of the security guards that they spotted the weapon and immediately took action.”
Routh was able to get within 500 meters of Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reports on X. If Trump had walked two more holes, he would have been in the gunman’s sights, American media report. Access to the golf club was immediately blocked after the incident.
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“The state of Florida is going to conduct its own investigation into the attempted assassination at Trump International Golf Club,” Gov. DeSantis said. Both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s opponent in the Nov. 5 presidential election, have said they are “relieved” that Trump is safe.
‘Tension palpable’
This incident comes just two months after an earlier attack on Trump in Pennsylvania, in which he was wounded in the ear. A man in the audience was fatally shot before a Secret Service sniper shot the shooter dead. According to America expert Willem Post, the tension in the country is palpable. “The number of threats against politicians has increased significantly. A second attack in such a short time is unprecedented.”
Post wonders how this could have happened. “Since that attack in Pennsylvania, more agents have been placed around Trump, security measures have been tightened.” He suggests that it may be time to offer Trump presidential protection, similar to that of President Biden. “If that happens, everything will be closed off, even the bushes around a golf course.”
“Because how is it possible that someone can get within a few hundred meters of the president in the bushes around a golf course? That is something that will be investigated further. If you give Trump presidential protection, like President Biden is getting, then everything will be closed off. So also those bushes.”
Shooter wanted to fight in Ukraine
Routh, the shooter, has previously expressed his willingness to fight and die in Ukraine, according to The New York Times, which interviewed him last year for an article about American volunteers in that country. He also said then that he wanted to recruit Afghan soldiers to participate in the Ukrainian war.
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The newspaper describes Routh as a former construction worker who showed little patience for people who disagreed with his plans. When another fighter criticized him on Facebook, he remarked: “He should be shot.”
In 2022, after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he is said to have written in capital letters on X: “I am ready to fly to Krakow and go to the border of Ukraine to fight and die.”
Reports indicate that Routh voted for Trump in 2016, which makes the attack extra remarkable. According to America expert Post, this event will certainly have an impact on the presidential elections in November, especially within the Republican party. “Emotions are running high in America. This will inevitably have a political charge.”
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By: Peter Visser
What insights did retired generals provide on the assassination attempt on Donald Trump?
Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump: Retired Generals Weigh In on Failed Attack
On Sunday, a chilling incident unfolded at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where multiple shots were fired, putting the life of former President Donald Trump at risk. Fortunately, the Secret Service sprang into action, preventing a potential disaster. In the aftermath of the attack, retired generals Peter van Uhm and Mart de Kruif shared their expert insights on the incident, shedding light on the weapon used and the security measures that saved Trump’s life.
The Weapon of Choice: AK-47
The alleged shooter, 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, was armed with an AK-47 rifle, a weapon capable of killing someone from a distance. According to Van Uhm, a trained shooter with an AK-47 can take out a target from 400 meters away without difficulty. The fact that Routh was able to get within 500 meters of Trump underscores the gravity of the situation.
Security Services Prevent Disaster
The Secret Service’s prompt response in spotting the alleged shooter in the bushes near the golf course and immediately taking action averted a catastrophe. Van Uhm praised the security guards for their swift reaction, highlighting their crucial role in protecting Trump.
Investigation and Security Measures
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that the state will conduct its own investigation into the attempted assassination. Meanwhile, both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have expressed relief that Trump is safe. In the wake of this incident, questions arise about how Routh knew Trump’s whereabouts and how he managed to get so close to the former President.
Tension in the Country
This incident comes just two months after an earlier attack on Trump in Pennsylvania, where he was wounded in the ear. According to America expert Willem Post, the tension in the country is palpable, with the number of threats against politicians increasing significantly. Post wonders how this could have happened, considering that security measures were tightened after the previous attack.
Shooter’s Background and Motivations
Routh, the alleged shooter, has a history of expressing his willingness to fight and die in Ukraine. He even attempted to recruit Afghan soldiers to participate in the Ukrainian war. His social media activity reveals a man with little patience for those who disagreed with his plans, even going so far as to suggest that critics should be shot.
Lessons Learned and Future Security
The attempted assassination has raised concerns about Trump’s security and whether he should receive presidential protection similar to that of President Biden. Post suggests that such protection would involve closing off even seemingly innocuous areas, such as the bushes around a golf course. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust security measures in protecting high-profile individuals.
the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump is a sobering reminder of the risks faced by public figures. The bravery and quick thinking of the Secret Service saved the day, but the incident highlights the need for constant vigilance and improvement in security protocols. As the investigation unfolds, one thing is clear: the safety of our leaders is paramount, and every measure must be taken to ensure their protection.
Source: Goedemorgen Nederland on NPO 1, The New York Times, and other reputable news sources.
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Meta Description: Former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on Sunday. Retired generals weigh in on the failed attack, highlighting the weapon used and the security measures that saved Trump’s life.
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– What implications do the security lapses in high-profile protection plans have on the safety of political figures like Donald Trump?
Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump: AK-47 Rifle and Suspect’s Ukraine Connection
A chilling incident unfolded on Sunday at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where a 58-year-old suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump. Routh, armed with an AK-47 rifle, managed to get within 500 meters of Trump before being apprehended by the Secret Service.
The AK-47 Rifle: A Deadly Weapon
Retired generals Peter van Uhm and Mart de Kruif emphasized the danger posed by the AK-47 rifle, capable of taking out Trump from a distance of 400 meters. Van Uhm praised the security services for preventing a disaster, highlighting the importance of swift action in spotting the weapon and taking action.
The Suspect’s Ukraine Connection
Routh, a former construction worker, has a history of expressing his willingness to fight and die in Ukraine. He was interviewed by The New York Times last year, where he shared his plans to recruit Afghan soldiers to participate in the Ukrainian war. This raises questions about his motivations and potential connections to extremist groups.
Security Lapses and Concerns
The incident has sparked concerns about security lapses and the ability of individuals to get close to high-profile targets. Retired generals Van Uhm and De Kruif pointed out the significance of investigating how Routh knew Trump’s location, with De Kruif labeling the attempt as “somewhat amateurish.” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced an investigation into the incident, with both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris expressing relief that Trump is safe.
Tension in the Country
America expert Willem Post described the tension in the country as “palpable,” highlighting the increase in threats against politicians. The incident comes just two months after an earlier attack on Trump in Pennsylvania, where he was wounded in the ear. Post suggested that it may be time to offer Trump presidential protection, similar to that of President Biden, to prevent such incidents in the future.
Investigation and Next Steps
The FBI is investigating the incident, and Routh has been charged. As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about how Routh knew Trump’s location, his motivations, and potential connections to extremist groups. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust security measures and vigilance in protecting high-profile targets.
Sources:
* <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/09
