A security lapse at Donald J. Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, has raised new concerns about the ability of the U.S. Secret Service to protect the former president. The incident occurred when Trump made a last-minute decision to golf at Trump International Golf Club on Sunday, giving his Secret Service detail little time to secure the course. As a result, a gunman managed to remain concealed on the property for nearly 12 hours before being spotted.
According to two individuals familiar with the situation, Trump’s short-notice outing forced the Secret Service to forgo its usual perimeter sweep of the course. This lapse in security allowed a man, identified as 34-year-old Ryan W. Routh, to hide in the bushes near the course, armed with a gun. The presence of the gunman was detected when an agent ahead of Trump on the golf course noticed the barrel of a gun poking out from the bushes. The agent quickly fired at Routh, who fled the scene but was later apprehended.
The swift response by the Secret Service agent was commended by the agency’s acting director, Ronald L. Rowe Jr., during a press briefing on Monday. Rowe praised the agent for taking immediate action to neutralize the threat before any harm could come to the former president.
However, the fact that a gunman could hide near Trump’s golf course undetected for such a long period has raised questions about the Secret Service’s preparedness. The agency is already facing immense pressure, especially in the months leading up to the 2024 presidential election. The incident underscores the challenges of protecting a high-profile figure like Trump, who often makes impromptu public appearances and enjoys mingling with his supporters.
The breach comes just two months after another gunman opened fire on Trump during an outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. In that instance, the gunfire grazed Trump’s ear, injuring him slightly, and resulted in the death of an attendee. These repeated incidents have prompted lawmakers to question whether the Secret Service is equipped to handle the increasing threats against the former president.
Ronald L. Rowe Jr. acknowledged that Sunday’s golf outing was considered an “off-the-record” movement, meaning it was not part of Trump’s official schedule. Such movements can be challenging for the Secret Service to manage, as they often require advanced planning and additional resources. Screening a site as large as a golf course, especially one surrounded by city streets and dense foliage like Trump’s course, requires significant time and manpower, according to Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service.
In an interview on Tuesday, Guglielmi explained the complexity of securing a large open area like a golf course. “To maintain the integrity of a sweep in an area of that size, you need adequate time and resources,” he said. “You also have to ensure the perimeter remains secure throughout the event, which can be challenging with such short notice.”
The incident has reignited debates in Washington about whether the Secret Service requires additional funding to handle the demands of protecting former presidents, especially those like Trump, who continue to maintain an active public profile. Some lawmakers have questioned whether more funding would actually improve security, or if the agency’s existing resources are being mismanaged.
The Secret Service is expected to conduct an internal review of the security breach and implement changes to prevent similar incidents in the future. Meanwhile, Trump continues his busy campaign schedule, with supporters hoping that he remains safe on the campaign trail.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the stakes for protecting Trump, who is once again the Republican frontrunner, have never been higher. The Secret Service will likely face increased scrutiny as it navigates the challenges of safeguarding one of the most high-profile political figures in the world.
