Staff Reports
An alarming incident unfolded over the weekend as the Secret Service apprehended a would-be assassin targeting former President Donald Trump while he was enjoying a leisurely game of golf. Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old with a penchant for poor decisions, was spotted wielding a semiautomatic rifle from a distance that wasn’t exactly neighborly—between 300 to 500 yards, according to authorities. Routh must have thought he was auditioning for a sniper role in an action movie, but spoiler alert: the role of “the guy who fails” was already filled.
As details began to unfold, one couldn’t help but wonder how Routh managed to creep so close to Trump despite a history of threats against the former president. The authorities deflected responsibility by pointing to the limitations of security protocol for presidential candidates versus sitting presidents. Apparently, maintaining a robust perimeter around a golf course is a tad more complicated than parking a golf cart. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw explained that shrubbery, that faithful stand-in for a high-tech security system, can obscure a potential threat from the watchful eyes of the Secret Service. What’s next? Should they start surrounding golf courses with barbed wire?
Ryan Wesley Routh has been identified by US media as the suspected would-be assassin of Donald Trump. https://t.co/bq6E9ihMIM
— News24 🇿🇦 (@News24) September 16, 2024
Further adding to the intrigue, it was reported that the Secret Service fired off several shots in response to the breach, though it remains uncertain if Routh had the wherewithal to fire back. It’s one thing to brandish a scoped rifle from a distance; it’s quite another to have the guts to engage with the professionals trained to protect high-profile targets. The entire chain of events feels like a combination of a poorly conceived plot from a B-movie and a slapstick comedy trying desperately to be taken seriously.
Naturally, the incident elicited reactions from both ends of the political spectrum. The White House issued a statement of relief regarding Trump’s safety, but one can’t help but feel it was more of a PR move than genuine concern. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris took to social media to express her appreciation for Trump’s well-being, adding that “violence has no place in America.” That statement would carry more weight if the left hadn’t spent the past few years indulging in protests that often blurred the line between spirited activism and outright anarchy.
Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, echoed sentiments of gratitude for the former president’s safety, although one can’t help but ponder what he would have said if the situation had turned darker. It’s a wonder he doesn’t recommend carrying a concealed weapon on the golf course next time to send a message that the Second Amendment still means something—even while teeing off. In any case, it’s safe to say that Americans are relieved Trump remains in the land of the living, though it’s clear the left might be feeling a little more like a golf ball with a few holes in it lately.
