CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem expresses concern that the second assassination attempt on former President Trump could be exploited for political gain, exacerbating the already tense political climate.
CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem has raised concerns that the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on Sunday could be used as a political weapon in the upcoming election.
Kayyem, a former Obama administration official, said the incident is "a safety issue that is being thrown into a very intense political environment." She anticipates that the assassination attempt will be used as a political talking point in the coming weeks.
CNN Analyst Warns Trump Assassination Attempt May Fuel Political Division
"Whatever your beliefs are, we do deserve to have campaigns where violence is not being used as either a sword or a shield," Kayyem said.
On Sunday, a gunman attempted to assassinate Trump while he was golfing at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, was reportedly 300 to 500 yards away from Trump when the Secret Service spotted him and opened fire. Routh fled but was arrested soon afterward.
CNN Analyst Warns Trump Assassination Attempt May Fuel Political Division
Kayyem emphasized that political figures like Trump should have a reasonable expectation of safety. "I don't care what you feel about him or [Kamala] Harris, this is the expectation that he will be safe," she said.
Public records indicate that Routh, who was arrested after allegedly pointing an AK-47 through the chain-link fence around the golf course, has had at least 100 run-ins with the police throughout his life. Social media accounts allegedly belonging to Routh show that he posted prolifically about Trump, the war in Ukraine, the 2020 election, and other world events.
CNN Analyst Warns Trump Assassination Attempt May Fuel Political Division
The Trump campaign has not commented on the incident.
Trump was previously wounded in an assassination attempt in July when a gunman opened fire from a nearby roof during a rally in Pennsylvania. One of Trump's supporters was killed in the shooting, and the gunman was killed by law enforcement.
Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump's potential opponent in the 2024 election, released a statement expressing gratitude that Trump was safe and condemning political violence.
"As we gather the facts, I will be clear: I condemn political violence," Harris said. "We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence."
The Secret Service has been praised for its quick response to the assassination attempt. The agency is responsible for protecting the President and other high-ranking government officials.
The incident has raised concerns about political violence and the safety of political figures during election campaigns. Kayyem and others have urged against using this incident for political gain.
