Former President Donald Trump was set to conduct a town hall meeting in Michigan on Tuesday as his campaign progresses, following his considerable praise for the Secret Service members who reportedly prevented an assassination attempt at his golf club in Florida.

The Secret Service is facing criticism for allowing a suspect, who was armed with an assault-style rifle, to get within a few hundred yards of Trump at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach last Sunday. This event followed a recent incident where a bullet barely missed Trump’s ear during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

During an event on the X Spaces platform late Monday, Trump attributed the encouragement of potential attackers to the rhetoric from Democrats. This assertion came despite Vice President Kamala Harris, his Democratic opponent, condemning political violence and calling for everyone to “do our part to prevent this incident from escalating into further violence.”

A White House representative confirmed that Harris reached out to Trump to express her relief that he is unharmed.

Trump also suggested that his Secret Service protection should be increased. He praised the agent who fired at the suspect and the one who quickly relocated Trump and his friends to safety using a golf cart. He also commended a civilian who took pictures of the suspect’s license plate, which assisted authorities in apprehending the suspect shortly afterward.

“The agents performed exceptionally, and the civilian was outstanding,” he remarked. Trump’s only lament was, “I wish I could have made that last putt, but we decided it was time to leave.”

Stay updated with YSL News’s live reports.

Secret Service acting director: Suspect did not have Trump in sight

According to Ronald Rowe, the acting director of the Secret Service, the suspect never had Trump in his view and did not discharge any rounds. Rowe stated that Trump’s visit to the golf course was not publicly announced, casting uncertainty on whether the suspect was aware of Trump’s presence there.

– John Bacon

Suspect appears in federal court

Ryan Routh, the suspect, appeared in federal court on Monday and has been reported to not have fired any shots. He is currently facing charges including possession of a firearm while a convicted felon and having a firearm with a tampered serial number.

– John Bacon

Trump expresses gratitude to Florida law enforcement for apprehending suspect

Trump hosted a ceremony at Mar-a-Lago to thank members of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office who were involved in the traffic stop of alleged assassin Ryan Routh.

“I’m still here,” Trump humorously commented to the officers as he expressed his appreciation for their work, based on footage shared by his office.

– David Jackson

House committee calls for FBI meeting this week

The bipartisan House Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump has requested a meeting with FBI representatives regarding Sunday’s apparent assassination attempt before the week’s end.

They have also sought a comprehensive set of documents and interviews with witnesses regarding the assassination attempt on July 13, including all relevant information from the Secret Service, state and local authorities, the Trump campaign, and the suspect’s family.

The committee aims to broaden its investigation beyond the July incident to include both cases. It is anticipated that the report detailing the outcomes of the first assassination attempt will be published in mid-December.

−Riley Beggin

Kamala Harris checks in with Trump following assassination plot

On Tuesday, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris reached out to Donald Trump after the recent assassination attempt against him.

A White House official reported that the vice president contacted Trump to express her relief for his safety. The conversation was friendly and brief, according to the source.

President Joe Biden also spoke with Trump on Monday, and Trump expressed gratitude for Biden’s call, as noted by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

–Michael Collins

Routh’s criminal history includes explosives charge

Recently released court documents from North Carolina shed light on a 2002 charge against Ryan Routh that involved a “weapon of mass destruction,” leading to his felony status.

The documents reveal that Greensboro Police discovered Routh in possession of a “binary explosive with a 10-inch detonation cord and a blasting cap” back in April 2002. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives categorizes such items as potentially hazardous materials, similar to an Ammonium nitrate can be classified as an oxidizer while aluminum acts as a fuel; when these substances are kept separate, they are legal, but they fall under regulations when combined.

This charge resulted from a reported event where an individual barricaded himself inside his roofing company, armed with a machine gun.

A judge has sentenced him to 60 months of probation, alongside a requirement for substance abuse assessment and treatment.

-Nick Penzenstadler

Karine Jean-Pierre: Biden believes Secret Service requires additional resources

On Tuesday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reaffirmed President Biden’s stance that the Secret Service needs enhanced resources, indicating that the administration has been advocating for this since August. She expressed the president’s confidence in the leadership of the Secret Service.

In reply to a question about Trump’s accusations against the president and vice president, Jean-Pierre stated that both individuals have consistently condemned political violence.

“We have never endorsed violence in any form,” she shared with reporters.

Jean-Pierre noted that there should be discussions about these issues, similar to those occurring during last week’s debate.

“This is not the moment to divide Americans,” she added, emphasizing that they will strongly denounce any acts of violence.

“It’s crucial to lower the intensity of these discussions,” she stated.

Later on, concerning the events of January 6, the White House spokesperson mentioned that the president needs to address “any refusal to acknowledge the election results and any violent language,” highlighting the administration’s “duty” to inform the public about such threats.

– Francesca Chambers

Trump continues to threaten imprisonment for rivals

Despite a second attempted assassination, Trump remains determined to imprison those he accuses of election fraud. On Tuesday, he utilized his Truth Social platform to reiterate a prior assertion that “individuals involved in unethical activities will be pursued, apprehended, and prosecuted at unprecedented levels in our nation.”

On the evening of September 7, Trump reiterated his “CEASE & DESIST” message, repeating unverified claims about Democrats engaging in “cheating” and “deceptive practices.” His rivals have accused him of spreading falsehoods regarding the 2020 election and attempting to intimidate Democratic voters this time.

“He’s unraveling,” remarked an X post from the anti-Trump organization The Lincoln Project.

− David Jackson

Ex-soldier on Routh: ‘He was delusional’

Routh, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, reportedly was considered a liability by some fellow soldiers and volunteers, according to a former soldier. Evelyn Aschenbrenner, an American, mentioned to Reuters that they served together in an administrative capacity with Ukraine’s International Legion, describing Routh as “delusional”  he believed he was the only one capable of assisting Ukraine.”

Documents confirming Aschenbrenner’s military service with Ukraine were reviewed by Reuters. Ukraine has claimed that Routh did not actually participate in the combat. However, Routh did spend time in Kyiv and attempted to recruit Afghan individuals into the Ukrainian forces.

“Millions of Americans support Ukraine, and they represent a wide range of individuals,” stated Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for the Ukrainian foreign ministry, on Tuesday. “We urge everyone not to wrongfully associate the actions of the suspect with Ukraine.”

Trump’s golfing companion praises his ‘brave’ character

Trump’s immediate reaction following the recent assassination attempt was commendable, according to his friend and golfing partner Steve Witkoff. Witkoff shared with Fox News that he was playing golf with Trump when the shots were fired, prompting the former president’s evacuation.

“It was horrific,” Witkoff recounted. “But I witnessed a man who was calm, brave, and prioritized his friends’ safety above his own.”

Witkoff commended the Secret Service for their “exceptional” response. He remarked that agents ensured Trump’s safety swiftly after the first shot, and by the time the last shot was heard, the president was already evacuating the area. All shots were fired by the Secret Service towards the suspect, who fled the scene without retaliating.

“It felt as though they had drilled this scenario numerous times before. Their performance was impressive,” Witkoff commented. “They were heroic, as their own lives were at risk.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expresses doubts about federal inquiry’s integrity

On Tuesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed skepticism regarding the federal government’s ability to carry out an open, thorough, and unbiased investigation into the recent assassination attempt against Trump. DeSantis questioned how the agencies pursuing Trump could also manage the inquiry.

He stated that he would appoint a statewide prosecutor who would operate under the oversight of the state attorney general since the case spans multiple jurisdictions in Florida.

“Many have concerns about the operations of these (federal) agencies,” DeSantis noted during a press briefing, stressing that the state has jurisdiction over “the most serious and straightforward offense, which is attempted murder.”

‘We will hold nothing back’: Merrick Garland pledges thorough investigation

This morning, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that the FBI is actively investigating the alleged assassination attempt on Trump and is collaborating closely with federal and state law enforcement partners.

“We will all work hand in hand to diligently determine accountability in this case,” Garland stated. “We will not hold back any resources for this investigation.”

Garland made these remarks during an anniversary event for a Justice Department office aimed at fostering trust between local law enforcement and communities.

– Aysha Bagchi

The Secret Service under scrutiny once more

On Sunday, the Secret Service failed to identify a gunman hiding in the bushes at a West Palm Beach golf course until Trump was 500 yards away, raising further concerns about the agency’s capability to safeguard the GOP nominee. Rowe commended his agents on Monday for successfully handling what was labeled the second assassination attempt against Trump within two months. He called it a “textbook” situation demonstrating the agents’ ability to detect and neutralize threats.

An armed threat towards Trump.

Rowe mentioned that the Secret Service has greatly increased its security protocols for Trump following his shooting and injury to the ear during a July 13 assassination attempt at a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania. Soon after that incident, Rowe expressed to lawmakers his “shame” over the security oversights at the rally.

Ron DeSantis, the Republican governor of Florida, announced that he will be starting a state investigation into the incident that occurred on Sunday.

“The public has a right to know the details about the would-be assassin and how he managed to come within 500 yards,” DeSantis stated in a post on social media. Read more here.

− Josh Meyer

‘Moving bubble’ of agents shields Trump during golf outings

A “moving bubble” of Secret Service agents successfully blocked the second assassination attempt on Donald Trump while he was golfing on Sunday. A.T. Smith, the deputy director of the Secret Service from 2012 to 2015, explained that agents strive to respect other golfers’ experiences while discreetly scanning the surroundings for any threats as Trump and his group played. According to Smith, Trump’s protective bubble consists of agents that cover about three to five holes ahead and behind him, using advanced technology to detect possible attackers.

“It seems we continue our usual practices,” reflected former Secret Service Director John Magaw.

Contributing: Reuters