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Gov. Tim Walz condemns second Trump assassination attempt

Walz had previously ignored questions shouted to him by reporters at two different airport arrivals.

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Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks to audience members at a campaign rally at United Auto Workers Local 900 on Aug. 8, 2024, in Wayne, Michigan.
Andrew Harnik / TNS

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.

Law enforcement officials said U.S. Secret Service agents spotted and fired on a gunman in some bushes near the property line who dropped an AK-47-style assault rifle and was arrested after fleeing.

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.

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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.

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.

A South Dakota native, Hunter joined Forum Communications as a reporter for the Mitchell (S.D.) Republic in June 2021 and now works as a digital reporter for Forum News Service.
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