President Donald J. Trump is suspending his golfing activities due to security concerns. This decision follows conversations with federal agents, including Ronald Rowe, the Acting Director of the Secret Service, and officials from the Director of National Intelligence’s office, who expressed their inability to ensure his safety on golf courses.
They noted the difficulty in securing Trump adequately at golf courses, particularly those near public roads, after an incident in September involving an attempt to target Trump while he was golfing in Florida. The Democrat donor involved in the incident, Ryan Routh, was heavily tied to Ukraine and attempted to help the country recruit foreign fighters after its full-scale invasion by Russia in 2022. He has been charged with the attempted assassination but has pleaded not guilty.
Trump, known for his frequent golfing outings, reportedly expressed a strong desire to continue the activity. However, he was advised that considerable additional security would be necessary to mitigate potential threats.
The Secret Service had previously raised similar concerns about the risks associated with Trump’s golf outings during his presidency. Former officials indicated that these outings posed security challenges, as long-range lenses could expose him to danger.
Trump’s security challenge during golf outings is compounded by the fact that he no longer receives the same level of protection as a sitting president.
So far, there have been two major attempts on Trump’s life during the presidential campaign, including when he was shot by Thomas Matthew Crooks in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July.
Other reports have claimed that multiple assassination teams, some linked to Iran, are also targeting Trump. The Trump campaign has now requested military aircraft and other measures in the final month of the 2024 campaign in response to the heightened threat.
