WASHINGTON, Sept 16 (Bernama-Sputnik) -- US President Joe Biden expressed relief that former President and current presidential candidate Donald Trump was unharmed following an assassination attempt, reported Sputnik.
"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," Biden said in a statement.
There is no place for political or any other violence in the United States, he stressed.
"I have directed my team to continue to ensure that the Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President’s continued safety," Biden said.
He added that the suspect was in custody, adding that the Secret Service and their law enforcement partners had done a good job in ensuring Trump's safety.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said on Sunday that the State of Florida would conduct its own investigation into an alleged assassination attempt on Trump.
Earlier on Sunday, US Secret Service agents opened fire on a gunman that was 300-500 yards (270-450 metres) away from Trump at a golf course in Florida. Law enforcement detained a man in connection with the incident.
"The State of Florida will be conducting its own investigation regarding the attempted assassination at Trump International Golf Club," DeSantis said on X.
People deserve the truth about the alleged assassin and how he was able to get within 500 yards of the former president and current Republican presidential nominee, DeSantis said.
US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene identified the alleged assassin as Ryan Wesley Routh, although the suspect's identity has not been publicly confirmed by law enforcement.
Routh is "obsessed" with the conflict in Ukraine, Greene said. The congresswoman shared posts from social media accounts believed to belong to Routh, including a post from May related to getting invitations for soldiers to fight on behalf of Ukraine.
Trump also survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July.
US intelligence agencies recently informed the campaign headquarters of presidential candidate Donald Trump of an assassination threat from Iran, CNN reported on Sunday, citing informed sources.
According to the channel, US intelligence informed Trump's campaign about new indications that Iran was planning to intensify attacks against the politician and members of his entourage. CNN did not provide additional information on this topic.
--BERNAMA-SPUTNIK
