Juliette Kayyem, a CNN commentator and former official in the Obama administration, expressed concern that Sunday’s second attempt on former President Trump’s life might be exploited politically in the election.
“The problem is this is a safety issue that is being thrown into a very intense political environment in which the very fact of an assassination, a constitutional moment because it could have impacted voters, will be used for political purposes,” Kayyem said, reacting to the failed assassination attempt against Trump in Florida. “That to me is exceptionally unfortunate.”
Regardless of one’s political stance, Kayyem stated, “We do deserve campaigns where violence is not used as either a sword or a shield.” She also predicted that the assassination attempt will be brought up in the following weeks for political purposes.
At Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where the former president was playing golf on Sunday, a shooter made another attempt on his life.
According to the authorities, the suspect—later identified as Ryan Wesley Routh—was between 300 and 500 yards away from Trump when he was discovered by the Secret Service and gunfire ensued.
He ran away but was apprehended shortly after. Additionally, Kayyem stated that it is acceptable to assume that public figures such as Trump are protected from attack.
“I don’t care what you feel about him or [Kamala] Harris, this is the expectation that he will be safe,” she said.
According to public records, Routh, who was detained on Sunday after reportedly shoving the muzzle of an AK-47 over the chainlink fence surrounding Trump’s golf club, had at least 100 encounters with police in his life.
On Sunday afternoon, a source combed through the suspect’s suspected social media profiles and discovered that he frequently tweeted about Trump, the Ukraine conflict, the 2020 presidential election, and other global events.
The account also commented on Trump’s assassination attempt in July, urging Vice President Kamala Harris to visit the injured at the Pennsylvania event because “Trump will never do anything for them.”
Trump was injured in another assassination attempt in July, when a gunman opened fire from a nearby roof during a rally in Pennsylvania, clipping his ear. The shooting murdered Corey Comperatore, a Trump supporter, and the perpetrator was slain by police.
Harris, Trump’s 2024 opponent, issued a statement expressing appreciation that Trump was safe.
“As we gather the facts, I will be clear: I condemn political violence. We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence.
“I am thankful that former President Trump is safe. I commend the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement partners for their vigilance. As President Biden said, our Administration will ensure the Secret Service has every resource, capability, and protective measure necessary to carry out its critical mission.”
Written by Jennifer Amarachi
