An MSNBC analyst has suggested Donald Trump stop playing golf after a suspected second assassination attempt in less than two months.
The would-be assassin allegedly pointed a AK-47 at the former president while he was on the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach on Sunday afternoon.
The alleged gunman has been identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, a registered Democrat from Hawaii, who is now in custody.
Frank Figliuzzi, an MSNBC national security contributor, said Trump may be asked by the Secret Service to stop golfing and thinks the former president should obey.
‘Will Donald Trump if encouraged by the Secret Service to stop golfing or to change gold courses or something that is far more protected, will he abide by that? I think in these remaining weeks, I would take the advice of security professionals, whatever they say,’ Figliuzzi said.
A gunman pointed an AK-47 at the former president while he was playing at the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach on Sunday
Frank Figliuzzi (pictured), an MSNBC national security contributor, said Trump may be asked by the Secret Service to stop golfing
Officials said the gunman was able to get near Trump on his Florida golf course because he does not have to same security detail as a sitting president.
The suspect was able to get within 300 to 500 yards of Trump and was posted up outside the club around the 5th and 6th hole, which is a more ‘vulnerable’ area of the course because it is closest to the road.
The incident comes as Trump’s security detail has been ramped up in the two months after the former president was shot in the ear during an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler on July 13.
Figliuzzi said Trump’s security team will have a discussion about how to keep him safe at open air events and may suggests no longer attending them.
‘There is an inevitable sit down with protectees across the secret service spectrum about open air events. This is going to happen, I guarantee you. The question I can’t answer right now is whether each protectee is going to go with the program,’ he said.
The suspect was able to get within 300 to 500 yards of Trump and was posted up outside the club around the 5th and 6th hole
The would-be assassin has been identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, a registered Democrat , and is now in custody
Images revealed the backpack, GoPro camera and AK-47 style rifle that the gunman left behind
‘We’re already living in a society where our nominees, our vice presidential nominees, are speaking from behind bullet resistant glass at open air rallies. How far can this go?’
He said the Secret Service may ask him to stop golfing because they can’t afford to ramp up their security.
‘How far can we fund, if at all, the Secret Service to put numerous drones up to see an aerial shot of golf courses, concerts, rallies, is this going to become the norm,’ Figliuzzi said.
‘Where do you put your perimeter? How many agents, how many police officers will you need? Do you need an entire square acre, do you need miles of perimeter?
‘These are questions that almost can’t be answered because they are cost prohibitive and resource prohibitive.’