Donald Trump points fingers at Kamala Harris and Joe Biden after his assassination attempt
On Monday, Donald Trump directly accused his Democratic rivals, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, of being responsible for the new assassination attempt against him. According to the former US president, the suspect arrested during the incident "adheres to the speech of Biden and Harris" and would have acted accordingly.
"Because of this rhetoric from the communist left, bullets are flying and it's only going to get worse," Trump said in an interview on Fox News, before repeating his accusations on Truth Social. The Republican candidate, in the midst of campaigning for the November presidential election, had already escaped a first assassination attempt last July.
In response to these accusations, Joe Biden called for calm and condemned all forms of political violence. "We must resolve our differences peacefully, at the ballot box, not at gunpoint," the outgoing president declared.
Pro-Ukrainian suspect arrested
Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old American, was arrested in Florida after being apprehended near the golf course where Donald Trump was playing at the time of the incident. The man, described as a strong supporter of Ukraine, was previously interviewed by AFP in 2022 in kyiv. He was charged with illegal possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon with an obliterated serial number. He faces up to 20 years in prison for these charges and is expected to face further prosecution in the future.
The Justice Department, under Merrick Garland, has vowed to use all available resources to investigate the case. The next hearing to determine his continued detention is scheduled for September 23.
Growing tensions ahead of election
The incident comes amid heightened tensions just weeks before the November 5 presidential election. The campaign has been marked by rumors and conspiracy theories, particularly around the small town of Springfield, Ohio, where Haitian immigrants have been accused, without foundation, of stealing pets.
The current political climate, exacerbated by violent rhetoric and mutual accusations, raises fears of a resurgence of violence in the run-up to the election. Despite the tensions, both sides are calling for their differences to be resolved at the ballot box.
Former President Trump, for his part, continues to denounce the management of his security, while his Republican allies demand answers on the increase in assassination attempts against him. Kamala Harris, for her part, continues her campaign with the transport unions, while the political duel reaches its climax in an election without precedent for the United States.
