Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders publicly condemned an assassination attempt on Donald Trump’s life that took place in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday.

Sanders, who has long been a foe of Trump, expressed his relief in the former president's safety and strongly denounced political violence in all forms, doing so amid a heated presidential race involving Democratic Party nominee Kamala Harris, as Breitbart reports.

Authorities quickly responded to the scene where the suspect was found positioned with a scoped rifle aimed at former President Trump from 300 to 500 yards away.

According to law enforcement, the assailant was spotted in a concealed area of shrubbery near the Trump International Golf Course, where Trump was golfing at the time of the incident.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw confirmed the distance between the shooter and Trump, noting that with the weapon involved, the assailant could have posed a significant threat.

Security Challenges Arise Amid Trump's Current Status

Bradshaw explained the challenges in securing the area surrounding Trump due to his current status as a presidential candidate rather than a sitting president. "You got to understand the golf course is surrounded by shrubbery,” Bradshaw said. "When somebody gets into the shrubbery, they’re pretty much out of sight. At this level, he’s not the sitting president."

The Secret Service, tasked with Trump’s security, responded to the threat by firing four to six shots. It remains unclear whether the suspect fired back or sustained any injuries. Trump’s team had been vigilant, but the reduced perimeter security due to his non-presidential status proved difficult to manage.

Political Leaders Respond to Assassination Attempt

In the aftermath of the incident, Sanders expressed relief that Trump remained unharmed. “There is no place for political violence, including the disturbing incident we just witnessed in West Palm Beach,” Sanders said on social media Sunday. He emphasized the need for unity and a strong stand against violence. “We must denounce it in the strongest possible terms, and I am relieved that the former President is safe.”

Sanders has been consistent in his rejection of political violence, having made a similar statement in July when another attempt was made on Trump’s life. Despite his political opposition to Trump, Sanders has called out violent acts as unacceptable and condemned them, regardless of who the target may be. In August, Sanders called Trump “dangerous” due to the former president’s alleged undermining of democratic institutions but stressed that violence is not the answer.

Secret Service Fires Shots During Incident

The Secret Service’s quick response likely prevented the situation from escalating further. Palm Beach County Sheriff Bradshaw confirmed that the suspect was in a prime position to carry out an attack, but thanks to swift intervention, the former president remained unharmed. As Bradshaw mentioned, the assailant's position was difficult to detect due to the shrubbery, making it a challenging security situation.

The Secret Service and local authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the attack and whether the suspect acted alone. As more information becomes available, law enforcement is expected to provide further updates.

Kamala Harris, JD Vance Express Relief

Vice President Kamala Harris also addressed the incident, expressing relief that Trump was safe. "I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America," Harris posted on X, reflecting the sentiments of many political figures across the aisle. The White House confirmed that both President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris were briefed on the security breach and would be receiving regular updates on the situation.

Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance, spoke directly to Trump after the incident and offered his support. “I’m glad President Trump is safe. I spoke to him before the news was public, and he was, amazingly, in good spirits,” Vance shared. He went on to acknowledge the uncertainty surrounding the incident but said he was grateful that it ended without injury.

Tim Walz Joins in Condemning Violence

Tim Walz, Harris’s running mate, also condemned the attack on Trump and echoed calls for an end to political violence. “Gwen and I are glad to hear that Donald Trump is safe,” Walz said. "Violence has no place in our country. It’s not who we are as a nation."

This unified response from political leaders on both sides underscores the need for a collective rejection of political violence in the U.S. Though they may differ sharply on policy and ideology, figures such as Sanders, Harris, and Walz have made it clear that such acts should be unequivocally denounced.

Authorities Investigate Motive Behind Attack

As law enforcement continues to gather details about the attacker’s background, authorities are also investigating the individual’s potential motives. The suspect’s identity has not yet been released, and it remains unclear whether the individual had any prior connections to organized political movements or acted alone.

The incident has reignited discussions about security protocols for former presidents, particularly those actively involved in political campaigns. With the 2024 presidential election cycle heating up, questions remain about how to adequately protect high-profile candidates without the resources available to sitting presidents.

Conclusion

Sunday’s assassination attempt on Donald Trump in West Palm Beach prompted immediate condemnation from Bernie Sanders and other political leaders, emphasizing a need to reject violence.

The suspect, found with a scoped rifle, was positioned 300-500 yards away from Trump. Authorities continue investigating the attack, while Secret Service agents fired shots to neutralize the situation.

Sanders, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Tim Walz all expressed relief that Trump was safe, calling for unity and the denouncement of political violence.