After surviving a second assassination attempt on Sunday, former President Donald Trump is thanking law enforcement for what he called an “incredible job” in keeping him safe.
Trump shared his thoughts in a post to Truth Social on Monday, a day after a gunman was engaged and eventually detained near his golf course in Florida.
“I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes – It was certainly an interesting day!” Trump wrote.
“Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, 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 FBI is calling the incident on Sunday an apparent assassination attempt. The suspected gunman has since been identified by the authorities as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, who they say was planning to attack the former president while he played a round of golf.
Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw shared on Sunday that Routh was armed with an AK-47-style rifle and was allegedly within 500 yards.
However, Secret Service members protecting the former president engaged Routh, opening fire before he eventually fled. It is not clear if he returned fire.
Routh fled on foot and took off in his vehicle before he was eventually stopped and detained 50 miles from the golf course.
The FBI and Secret Service are working with local authorities to investigate the assassination attempt and find out what happened.
“There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!” Trump said in a fundraising email sent Sunday. “Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER! I will always love you for supporting me.”
Trump survived another assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July. The gunman in that attempt was shot dead by the Secret Service.