ATLANTA — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and other leaders are reacting after former President Donald Trump was the target of what the FBI said “appears to be an attempted assassination” at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday.
This is just nine weeks after the Republican presidential nominee survived another attempt on his life. Trump said he was safe and well, and authorities have a man in custody.
RELATED: Trump was the subject of an apparent assassination attempt at his Florida golf club, the FBI says
U.S. Secret Service agents stationed a few holes up from where Trump was playing noticed the muzzle of an AK-style rifle sticking through the shrubbery that lines the course, roughly 400 yards away.
An agent fired, and the gunman dropped the rifle and fled in an SUV, leaving the firearm behind along with two backpacks, a scope used for aiming and a GoPro camera, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said. The man was later stopped by law enforcement in a neighboring county and is now in custody.
In an email to supporters, Trump said: “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!” He wrote: “Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!”
He returned to Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Palm Beach where he lives, according to a person familiar with Trump's movements who was not authorized to discuss them publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Below are statements from leaders in response.
Gov. Brian Kemp
The Georgia governor took to X to say he was happy to hear the former president was safe and unharmed.
"Join us in continuing to pray for our country," Kemp wrote.
U.S. Senator, Trump's running mate JD Vance
JD Vance posted on social media that he spoke with Trump and is glad the former president is safe.
"I spoke to him before the news was public, and he was, amazingly, in good spirits," Vance wrote. "Still much we don't know, but I'll be hugging my kids extra tight tonight and saying a prayer of gratitude."
President Joe Biden
The president said he was briefed about what happened and commended the work of the Secret Service and law enforcement for keeping Trump and those around him safe.
"I have been briefed by my team regarding what federal law enforcement is investigating as a possible assassination attempt of former President Trump today. A suspect is in custody, and I commend the work of the Secret Service and their law enforcement partners for their vigilance and their efforts to keep the former President and those around him safe," Biden wrote.
"I am relieved that the former President is unharmed. There is an active investigation into this incident as law enforcement gathers more details about what happened. As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country, and I have directed my team to continue to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President’s continued safety," Biden continued.
Vice President Kamala Harris
The Democratic nominee for president released a statement on Sunday afternoon before more information was released about the incident. She wrote on X that she was glad he was safe.
"Violence has no place in America," Harris wrote.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
Florida's governor said the state would be conducting its own investigation into what had happened and how the suspect could have gotten that close to the former president and current Republican presidential nominee.
Georgia U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde
The U.S. representative posted to X asking for people to pray for the former president.
