A Second Assassination Plot and the New Era of Political Violence
Sep 17, 2024
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Thomas Gibbons-Neff, a National desk correspondent at The New York Times, Glenn Thrush, a political reporter covering the Justice Department, and Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent, dive into the alarming details surrounding a second assassination attempt on Donald Trump. They discuss the troubling motives of the suspect, who has a criminal past and a misguided ambition to influence political events abroad. The trio examines the Secret Service's struggles to keep political figures safe in an era marked by rising political violence.
The recent assassination attempt on Trump highlights concerning trends in political violence and the extreme actions fueled by political anger.
The Secret Service's struggles in securing Trump's safety reveal systemic issues that need urgent addressing to protect public figures.
Deep dives
Second Attempted Assassination of Trump
Law enforcement officials provided a detailed account of the second attempted assassination of former President Trump, which occurred in West Palm Beach, Florida. The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, was found lurking near Trump's golf course for nearly 12 hours before the incident. Just as Trump began playing golf, a Secret Service agent spotted a rifle barrel emerging from the trees and fired in the direction of the weapon. Despite the agent's quick reaction, Routh managed to escape, leaving behind an AK-47 style rifle and other evidence of his plans.
Background of the Suspect
Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspect, had a troubling criminal history that included a previous armed standoff incident. Information surfaced about his peculiar activities, including a trip to Ukraine where he claimed to be raising money for soldiers. His motivations, as recounted by a colleague who had interviewed him, seemed outlandish, as he discussed grand plans to recruit Afghan soldiers to fight for Ukraine, despite having no military experience. Routh's actions and plans appeared to stem from a desire for validation rather than a coherent strategy.
The Role of the Secret Service
The Secret Service faced scrutiny for its perceived failures in securing the perimeter at Trump's golf course, which allowed Routh to position himself undetected for an extended period. While the quick response from individual agents was praised, systemic issues regarding staffing and resources were highlighted as ongoing challenges. President Biden acknowledged the need for the agency to receive more aid, emphasizing continuous scrutiny of its effectiveness in ensuring safety. This situation has underscored broader concerns about political violence and the implications for the safety of public figures moving forward.
A suspect was charged on Monday in connection with what appears to be a second assassination attempt on Donald J. Trump.
Thomas Gibbons-Neff and Glenn Thrush, who have been covering the case, and Peter Baker, The Times’s chief White House correspondent, discuss the suspect’s background, the Secret Service’s struggle to protect the former president, and this new era of political violence.
Guests:
Thomas Gibbons-Neff, a correspondent on the National desk of The New York Times.
Glenn Thrush, who reports on the Justice Department for The New York Times.
Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent for The New York Times.
Background reading:
What we know about the latest apparent assassination attempt.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
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