Donald Trump has praised the Secret Service and law enforcement following an apparent assassination attempt against the former president at one of his golf courses in Florida.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump thanked those who expressed their concerns following the “interesting day” at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach on Sunday.

A suspect, identified as Ryan Routh, was detained after Secret Service agents spotted a rifle poking out of a bush at the golf course. The agents were sweeping the area, and were one hole ahead of the former president as he was playing golf, police said.

Agents opened fire at the suspected gunman, who fled the scene before later being apprehended. The suspect didn’t fire at Trump, and the former president was not harmed during the incident.

“I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes – It was certainly an interesting day,” Trump wrote on social media.

“Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, [Palm Beach County] Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible job done today at Trump International in keeping me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican Nominee in the upcoming Presidential Election, SAFE. THE JOB DONE WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!”

The Context

The incident at Palm Beach was the second assassination attempt against Trump in three months.

On July 13, Trump was left with minor injuries after a gunman opened fire while he was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. One Trump supporter was killed and two others seriously injured in the shooting.

The Secret Service faced major criticism for a security failure that resulted in 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks being able to make his way onto a nearby roof armed with an AR-15 style rifle to fire at Trump.

Former Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle resigned from her role on July 23, one day after she was grilled by Congress over the security lapses that led up to the assassination attempt.

What We Know

The FBI on Sunday said it was joining the investigation into the incident.

“The FBI has responded to West Palm Beach Florida and is investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump,” the agency told Newsweek.

In a press conference on Sunday, Sheriff Bradshaw said that the suspected gunman was able to get within around 300 to 500 yards of the former president armed with what is believed to be an AK-47-style rifle.

“The golf course is surrounded by shrubbery, so when somebody gets into the shrubbery, they’re pretty much out of sight,” Bradshaw said.

After an agent “immediately engaged” with the person holding the rifle, the suspect fled, leaving behind his firearm, a scope, two bags and a GoPro camera, according to Bradshaw.

“The Secret Service did exactly what should have been done,” Bradshaw added.

Routh was later detained by police while driving in a black Nissan 37 miles from the golf course.

A social media profile believed to belong to Routh indicates that he strongly supported Ukraine’s effort in fighting the Russian invasion, and he reportedly traveled to Ukraine immediately after the conflict started in 2022.

Authorities haven’t yet established a motive for the alleged assassination attempt against Trump.

Speaking to CNN, the suspect’s son, Oran Routh, described the 58-year-old as “a loving and caring father” and an “honest hardworking man.”

“I don’t know what has happened in Florida, and I hope things have just been blown out of proportion, because from the little I’ve heard it doesn’t sound like the man I know to do anything crazy, much less violent,” he said.

Secret Service Special Agent Rafael Barros, who is in charge of the Miami Field Office, thanked the bureau’s law enforcement partners in a statement to Newsweek on Sunday, including the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

“Former President Donald Trump is safe and unharmed following a protective incident shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday at Trump International Golf Club at West Palm Beach,” Barros said.

“Secret Service personnel opened fire on a gunman located near the property line and this matter is under investigation.”

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.