On September 15th, US Republican presidential candidate Trump (Donald Trump) narrowly escaped an assassination attempt while playing golf in West Palm Beach, Florida. Fortunately, Secret Service personnel detected the threat in time, engaged the shooter in a gunfight, and subsequently apprehended the suspect. However, the Secret Service acknowledged the security challenges they faced on this occasion, citing the limitation of their ability to fully secure a golf course when the individual is not the sitting President.
For Secret Service agents tasked with protecting the President of the United States, golf courses have always been a source of concern due to their expansive outdoor space and potential hiding spots for would-be assassins. Golf courses are often located near public roads, surrounded by trees and hills, making them difficult to fully secure.
After leaving office, Trump does not restrict access to the golf course or refuse entry to the general public while playing, and nearby roads remain open to traffic. Spectators can easily observe him from sidewalks or across the street.
The Secret Service deploys numerous agents dressed in golf attire to patrol areas where Trump moves during his round. Agents positioned ahead conduct safety checks at each hole before Trump reaches them.
Compared to typical golf courses, the security challenge is heightened at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, due to its proximity to three busy roads: Kirk Road, Summit Boulevard, and Congress Avenue, as well as the nearby Palm Beach International Airport.
During his presidency, the Secret Service would prohibit pedestrians from standing on the sidewalk adjacent to the golf course, with the general public only able to watch Trump from across Kirk Road. However, since leaving office, security measures have relaxed, allowing spectators to view him swinging the club from sidewalks along Summit Boulevard and Congress Avenue.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of Palm Beach County noted that if Trump were still in office, his golf course would receive “comprehensive protection.” However, as a former President, the Secret Service’s security coverage is limited to areas deemed at risk.
Bradshaw emphasized, “The shrubbery around the golf course provides cover, making it difficult to see someone once they enter the thick bushes. I imagine there will be more personnel deployed around the area the next time Trump visits the golf course. The Secret Service has indeed done what they can.”
The timely discovery of the gunman by the Secret Service in this incident helped restore their reputation. In July, during a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump was attacked by a sniper positioned on a nearby building roof, with a bullet grazing his right ear, causing minor injury. The security capabilities of the Secret Service were heavily criticized at the time, leading to the resignation of Director Kimberly Cheatle.
The Chair of the Special Working Group on the Donald Trump Assassination Attempt Case in Congress, Republican Federal Representative Mike Kelly, and Democratic Chief Member Jason Crow released a joint statement confirming that the FBI is investigating the second assassination attempt.
After the incident, Trump reassured his campaign donors via email, stating that “he is safe, and everything is fine.”