Staff Reports
A shocking and negligent blunder by the Secret Service has surfaced surrounding the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, and it has left many scratching their heads. Just days ago, a would-be assassin, armed with an “AK-47-style rifle with a scope,” was discovered lurking in the bushes at Trump International Golf Club. The only thing more astonishing than the suspect’s boldness, Ryan Wesley Routh, was the revelation that the Secret Service failed to conduct a perimeter sweep before Trump’s routine golf outing.
Despite the urgent need for security around a former president, the Secret Service’s acting director, Ronald Rowe, admitted that golf was not on Trump’s schedule—so apparently, that made it “go ahead and have a relaxing Sunday” for the agency. It’s almost as if the Secret Service thought golfing was merely a leisurely stroll in the park. The agent who eventually spotted Routh was fortunate enough to notice the rifle before it could be too late, showcasing just how crucial instinct can be when the system drops the ball.
Secret Service agents didn’t sweep outskirts of Trump’s golf course where his would-be assassin was hiding because former president’s visit was an “off-the-record” plan, the agency’s acting director admitted.
Ryan Routh hid in sniper’s nest for 12 hrs before Trump teed off pic.twitter.com/9zDD6PScsy
— American.357 (@ASimplePatriot) September 17, 2024
Rowe defended the actions of the agent who did sweep ahead, highlighting that the quick thinking of one dedicated individual prevented Routh from honing in on Trump, who was enjoying the game far back on the course. One can’t help but wonder what would have happened if that alert agent had opted to pull out a club instead of scanning for threats. Isn’t it comforting to know that just one agent can be the difference between a relaxing afternoon of golf and potentially tragic consequences?
This isn’t the first time the Secret Service has found itself under a cloud of controversy while safeguarding Trump. In a distressing incident back in July, another assassination attempt led to gunfire that struck Trump in the ear and tragically resulted in the death of an attendee. This failure back then prompted the resignation of the head of the Secret Service. With Rowe stepping in, it feels as if they’ve merely handed the keys to the car over to a new driver in an operation filled with potholes.
As investigations ramp up, Routh is on the fast track to facing both state and federal charges. Thankfully, Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis took a stand, arguing that the state should oversee prosecutions of the would-be assassin, asserting that this incident was more than just a federal issue and deserved proper attention under state law. It’s a sentiment shared by many who believe that tough action is required when it comes to protecting those in the line of fire, particularly when the feds seem to keep missing the mark.
