After second attempt on Trump's life, worries about US VVIP security

The second assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump has raised fresh questions about the US Secret Service, the federal law enforcement agency tasked with protecting political leaders, in the poll-bound nation. 

That a gunman could reach within shooting distance of Mr Trump for the second time in about two months has put the agency’s broader ability to protect candidates in question.

Two months after being shot at an election rally, on Sunday, Mr Trump survived a second assassination attempt while he was playing golf in Florida. Following the shooting incident, the presidential candidate said that he is absolutely “safe and well.”

In a fundraising email, Mr Trump wrote, “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!”

Tthe FBI confirmed that Mr Trump was the target of what “appears to be an attempted assassination” at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

SS cops spotted the muzzle

US Secret Service agents, stationed a few holes up from where Donald Trump was playing, noticed the muzzle of an AK 47-styled rifle and fired at the gunman. Within seconds, the suspected shooter fleed the crime spot in a black SUV, leaving behind his AK-47 rifle, a GoPro camera, and two bag packs.

Later, the man was stopped by law enforcement in a neighbouring county. He had a calm and flat demeanor and showed no emotion when he was stopped and didn't question why he was pulled over. “He never asked, ‘what is this about?’ Obviously, law enforcement with long rifles, blue lights, a lot going on. He never questioned it," the police said.

Kamala Harris voices relief

US Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her relief that Mr Trump was safe after the incident and maintained that there is no place for violence in America.

Mr Trump’s security has enhanced, including additional agents and improved intelligence, after the assassination attempt that he survived in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. Yet the gunman, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, was able to get his rifle with to a distance as close as around 300 metres from his possible target has exposed the Secret Service.

(By arrangement with livemint.com)

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