Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced political violence and sent his best wishes to Donald Trump following a second assassination attempt on the former president. The suspect, 58-year-old Ryan Routh, was identified as a supporter of Ukraine in its war with Russia. The Secret Service agents opened fire at Routh, who appeared to be waiting for Trump at his golf course in Florida, but the former president was unharmed. Routh was apprehended while driving on Interstate 95 in Martin County following the incident.
Zelenskyy expressed relief at Trump’s safety and emphasized the importance of the rule of law and the prevention of political violence. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also condemned the assassination attempt and commended law enforcement for their vigilance. Routh was described as an impassioned supporter of Ukraine, claiming to have fought there and recruiting others to join the conflict. He urged Americans to come to Ukraine to fight Russian forces, stating the importance of defending human rights globally against oppressors like Moscow.
While USA TODAY could not confirm if Routh had actually traveled to Ukraine, a New York Times story described him as a former construction worker from North Carolina recruiting Afghan soldiers to join the fight in Ukraine. Routh’s advocacy for global participation in defending human rights and his support for Ukraine against Russian aggression have sparked concerns about the potential for further violence.
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