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Former Obama administration official and CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem has voiced concerns that the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump could be used for political purposes. In her remarks, Kayyem stressed that the security incident should not be manipulated for political gain amidst an already charged election environment.
“This is a safety issue that is being thrown into a very intense political environment,” Kayyem said, reacting to the failed assassination attempt at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, was apprehended after allegedly pushing the muzzle of an AK-47 through the fence surrounding the golf course where Trump was playing.
Kayyem emphasized that all political officials should be expected to be safe, regardless of personal feelings toward President Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris. “Whatever your beliefs are, we do deserve to have campaigns where violence is not being used as either a sword or a shield,” she said. Concerned that the event would become a talking point in politics and worsen tensions, the former Obama official voiced concerns.
Public records show that Routh had numerous run-ins with the police throughout his life. His social media activity included prolific posts about Trump, the war in Ukraine, and the 2020 election, as well as comments on the earlier assassination attempt against Trump in July.
The Trump team refrained from commenting on the issue right away. Vice President Kamala Harris, meanwhile, expressed relief that Trump was unharmed and denounced political violence in a statement. “As we gather the facts, I will be clear: I condemn political violence,” Harris stated. She also praised the law enforcement and Secret Service for their diligence in protecting President Trump.