MACON, Georgia — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he’s “grateful” for the safety of former President Donald Trump on Tuesday, Sept. 17, his first time addressing Sunday’s assassination attempt in-person.
“I think it is worth noting what happened yesterday and what happened with President Trump in Florida,” Walz said. “Horrific situation — thankful to Secret Service, the folks you see, law enforcement and grateful that the President is safe.”
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While Trump was mid-round at his West Palm Beach, Florida, golf club on Sunday, a Secret Service agent sweeping the holes ahead noticed the barrel of a rifle sticking out from shrubbery. The agent “immediately engaged,” opening fire toward the gun.
The suspect, 58-year-old Ryan Routh, was able to flee the scene in a vehicle, leaving behind the rifle, two backpacks and a GoPro camera. He was apprehended in a neighboring county a short time later and taken into custody without further incident.
Investigators have not yet released Routh’s motive, if it’s known.
Regardless, Walz said Tuesday morning that violence won’t solve any of the problems the country is facing.
“I think all of us know we don't solve our differences in this country with violence. We condemn it in all its forms,” Walz said. “We solve our differences at the ballot box. That's how we get this done.”
Walz’s comments were delivered to dozens of volunteers at a Georgia Democratic Party office, and followed the appearance of roughly 30-40 pro-Trump protesters, who pool reports say were chanting “stolen valor,” "take your hotdish and shove it" and occasionally "Trump, Trump, Trump" during Walz's arrival.

During the governor’s airport arrivals in Macon and Minneapolis, pool reporters say Walz ignored shouted questions, including some that specifically sought comment on the assassination attempt.
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Though his comments to Georgia Democrats were his first in-person, Walz did post a message on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, in the hours immediately following the incident in Florida.
“Gwen and I are glad to hear that Donald Trump is safe. Violence has no place in our country. It’s not who we are as a nation,” his post read.
Gwen and I are glad to hear that Donald Trump is safe. Violence has no place in our country. It’s not who we are as a nation.
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz)
He also reposted a statement from Vice President Kamala Harris, which read: “I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.”
Walz is in the Peach State as part of an going travel schedule mostly targeting seven key swing states — specifically Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Since he was named as Harris’ running mate in early August, he’s traveled to more than 40 cities across 17 states and the District of Columbia.