WASHINGTON − Following a second assassination attempt on him, Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, switched back to his political agenda, expressing appreciation for law enforcement and the support he has received from the American public.

During a campaign appeal, Trump requested donations and alleged, without proof, that Democrats, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, were behind the incident that occurred at his Florida golf course on Sunday.

Trump stated in a Fox News interview, “The arrested suspect was influenced by the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, which led to this attack on me.” He continued, “Their words are putting me in danger while I’m trying to save the country, and they are the ones ruining it — both internally and externally.”

He also referred to an “enemy within” that he believes is working against him.

“They are using a mix of harmful rhetoric and lawsuits to target me,” Trump commented. “This is the kind of language that dangerous people, like the shooter, listen to — it inspired both this and the previous attack.”

Although the suspect has previously shown support for Democrats, no evidence confirms that Biden, Harris, or other prominent Democrats incited the assassination attempt.

Authorities apprehended Ryan Routh, 56, on Sunday after Secret Service agents fired at him while he aimed a rifle at Trump, who was golfing. Routh reportedly supports Ukraine amid the Russian invasion and voted in the Democratic primary in North Carolina last March.

Trump’s statements sharply contrast with how he responded to a previous assassination attempt in July, when a gunman shot during a rally in Pennsylvania. During that incident, Trump sustained an ear injury, and a rally attendee, Corey Comperatore, lost his life.

The shooter from that incident, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, had registered as a Republican and was killed by snipers from the Secret Service.

In the immediate aftermath of the July shooting, Trump called for unity among Americans. On Truth Social, he posted, “Now, more than ever, we must stand together and show our true American character — remaining strong and determined, and ensuring that evil does not prevail.”

Shortly after that, Trump returned to his usual campaign activities, which included criticizing Biden and Harris, at the Republican convention in Milwaukee.

However, following the recent assassination attempt, he placed specific blame on Biden and Harris for claiming that Trump’s reelection campaign poses a danger to democracy.

Following the incident, Trump shared a fundraising message stating, “There are people willing to do anything to prevent us from succeeding.” He reassured his supporters and donors that “I am safe and sound, and no one was harmed. Thank goodness!”

Before Trump’s comments, his aides were already blaming Democrats. A senior advisor to Trump harshly responded to a statement from Harris, who said she was glad Trump was safe after being briefed on the incident: “You’re not really glad he’s safe; it’s your rhetoric that has caused this, AGAIN!!!!!”

In her statement, Harris remarked, “Violence has no place in America.”

Biden and Harris have previously labeled Trump as a threat to democracy, citing his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and his claims about becoming a “dictator from day one” if reelected, particularly concerning border security and energy policies.

Despite this, Trump remained relatively calm for several hours after the incident before escalating his rhetoric.

In a Truth Social post late Sunday, he expressed gratitude, saying, “I want to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes — it certainly was an eventful day!”