Second Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump: Unpacking the Motives and Fallout
On September 15, 2024, former President Donald Trump narrowly escaped a second assassination attempt while golfing at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, was apprehended after being found hiding in bushes with an AK-47 rifle, a GoPro camera, and other gear, approximately 400 to 500 yards away from Trump. Thanks to quick action by Secret Service agents stationed at the golf course, the attack was thwarted before it could reach Trump, who remained unharmed The Motivations Behind the Attack The motives behind this second assassination attempt appear to stem from a combination of political polarization and personal extremism. Routh, the attacker, has a criminal history involving weapons violations and a background of radical involvement in foreign conflicts. His previous activities, such as leading efforts to bring foreign soldiers into the Ukraine war, reflect his volatile and militant behavior. While his specific reasons for tar...