Former President Donald Trump says he almost wishes he did not receive calls from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris after he survived a second apparent assassination attempt.
During a town hall event on Tuesday, Trump said, “He was so nice to me yesterday. In one way I sort of wish the call wasn’t made because I do feel a little — He’s so nice. ‘I’m so sorry about what happened and all that.”
He added, “Same with Kamala today. She could not have been nicer. But the fact is we have to have people that are respected by the opponent.”
On Sunday, Trump was at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, when Secret Secret Service agents a few holes ahead of the former president on the course saw the muzzle of an AK-47-style rifle sticking through the pushes and opened fire.
The Associated Press notes the gunman dropped his gun and fled but was later arrested and identified as Ryan Routh.
Law enforcement officials said they found two backpacks, a scope, and a GoPro camera in the spot where Routh was allegedly hiding.
The alleged would-be assassin reportedly was a strong supporter of Ukraine, previously stating he was willing to fight and die for the country.
Trump was reported to be safe after the incident.
Sunday’s apparent assassination attempt was the second attempt on Trump’s life in nine weeks.
Amid questions about the apparent security lapses that transpired before the first assassination attempt, Sunday’s incident has led to questions about how a would-be assassin was able to get so close to the former president.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw pointed out that despite the first attempt on the former president’s life, the security protocols were not as beefed up as they would be if he was the president.
“He’s not the sitting president. If he was, we would have had this entire golf course surrounded. But because he’s not, his security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible,” Bradshaw told reporters.
The FBI said the shooter’s cellphone data revealed he was near the golf course for nearly 12 hours before the incident. Additionally, the Secret Service said they did not search the perimeter before Trump began golfing.
Law enforcement also said the would-be assassin never had Trump in his sights and did not get a shot off.
