Calls are growing for more security for the former president after a second assassination attempt in two months. (AP)
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(by Steven Nelson, NYPost) WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump urgently needs enhanced Secret Service protection after a suspect was arrested Sunday in another apparent assassination attempt on the Republican nominee, Trump’s political supporters demanded Sunday.
The would-be assassin, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Routh of Hawaii, was detained after a Secret Service agent spotted the barrel of his AK-47 style rifle through a chain link fence on the outskirts of Trump International Golf Course West Palm Beach South.
The ex-president, 78, was on the course at the time. Authorities have yet to determine if the shooter squeezed off any shots at Trump.
“It is inexplicable that this happened again. President Trump needs the same, if not more, Secret Service protection than a sitting President,” Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) tweeted shortly after the attack.
“President Trump should have the same Protection as Joe Biden! PERIOD!” wrote prominent conservative commentator Leo Terrell.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw indicated that Trump’s security was lighter because he’s not the sitting commander-in-chief.
“At this level that he is at right now, he’s not the sitting president. If he was, we would have had this entire golf course around it. But because he’s not, security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible,” Bradshaw said.
“I would imagine that the next time he comes to a golf course, there’ll probably be a little bit more people around the perimeter. But the Secret Service did exactly what they should have done.”
A gun scope and a GoPro camera were recovered in the bushes, indicating the shooter may have intended to shoot Trump from a distance and film his actions.
Trump previously was targeted by a would-be assassin, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, on July 13 at a rally in Butler, Pa., when Crooks climbed on top of an unguarded roof just over 100 yards from Trump’s lectern at a rally. The ex-president’s ear was grazed with a bullet and [Trump supporter Corey Comperatore] was killed [and two other supporters in the audience were shot].
This is an ongoing story…
Published at NY Post Sep. 15, 2024, 6:24 p.m. ET. Reprinted here for educational purposes only.
Questions
1. What happened on Sunday at the Trump International Golf Course West Palm Beach?
2. How did Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw explain the level of security around President Trump?
3. What items did law enforcement recover at the golf course?
4. What are Trump supporters demanding?
5. a) What do you think? Regardless of whether you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent, should Donald Trump have more/better security? Explain your answer.
b) Ask a parent the same question. Discuss your answers.
6. Based on the facts known about the first assassination attempt in July when Trump was actually shot, and one supporter – Corey Comperatore was murdered shielding his wife and daughter, as well as two other attendees shot, Trump supporters are not confident that the Secret Service is adequately protecting the former president/current candidate. What do you think?
7. Read the “Background” below the questions. What do you think of Trump’s resolve?
Background
Trump wrote in an email on Sunday night:
My resolve is only stronger after another attempt on my life!
I will never slow down.
I will never give up.
I WILL NEVER SURRENDER!
I thank God every day for having supporters like you on my side.
On November 5th, WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting in Butler, PA, Melania Trump issued a lengthy statement thanking law enforcement for protecting the ex-commander-in-chief.
“When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barron’s life, were on the brink of devastating change,” she said at the time.
“I am grateful to the brave Secret Service agents and law enforcement officials who risked their own lives to protect my husband.”
“The attempt to end my husband’s life was a horrible, distressing experience,” Donald Trump’s wife said in a 30-second clip posted on her social media accounts.
Two months later, with no answers, Melania released a 30-second clip on September 10 on her social media accounts:
“The attempt to end my husband’s life was a horrible, distressing experience.
Now, the silence around it feels heavy.”“I can’t help but wonder: Why didn’t law enforcement officials arrest the shooter before the speech?” the 54-year-old Melania continued. “There is definitely more to this story and we need to uncover the truth.”
Daily “Answers” emails are provided for Daily News Articles, Tuesday’s World Events and Friday’s News Quiz.
