President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris both addressed the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on Sunday (September 15).

Biden, who ended his re-election campaign eight days after the first assassination on Trump, praised law enforcement for their response during what he said "appears to be an attempted assassination" of Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, at his West Palm Beach golf course.

"I commend the work of the Secret Service and their law enforcement partners for their vigilance and their efforts to keep the former President and those around him safe," Biden said after being briefed on the incident via Axios.

"I am relieved that the former President is unharmed. There is an active investigation into this incident as law enforcement gathers more details about what happened," he added. "As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country, and I have directed my team to continue to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President's continued safety."

Harris, who appeared opposite Trump as the Democratic presidential nominee in a debate five days prior, also shared a statement obtained by the Associated Press on Sunday.

"I am deeply disturbed by the possible assassination attempt of former President Trump today," Harris said. "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."

The shooter was identified as Ryan Routh, 58, who is reported to have frequently posted about politics online, donated to Democratic candidates and causes since 2019, and had a Biden-Harris bumper sticker on the back of a pickup truck parked at his Kaaawa, Hawaii, home, the New York Post reported on Sunday. Trump broke his silence after being targeted in an assassination attempt for the second time in two months in a post shared on his Truth Social account late Sunday night.

Mike McConnell

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