FBI Director Derides Assassination Attempt on Trump, Vows Full Force Investigation

FBI Director Christopher Wray has pledged the "full force" of his agency to investigate the latest assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

FBI Director Christopher Wray has condemned the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, pledging to dedicate the "full force" of his department to the ongoing investigation.

In a statement released Wednesday, Wray expressed relief that Trump emerged unscathed from the incident, which occurred over the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort in West Palm Beach, Florida. The FBI is one of several federal and state agencies probing the attempted assassination.

FBI Director Derides Assassination Attempt on Trump, Vows Full Force Investigation

"The FBI is investigating all aspects of the alleged attempt on former President Trump's life this weekend," Wray said. "Our work is very much ongoing, and we're just a few days into the investigation, so we're limited in what we can say at this point."

Wray disclosed that the FBI is devoting a wide range of resources to the case, including criminal and national security personnel, evidence response teams, forensic scientists, and operational technology specialists. "Together, we're working around the clock to investigate this," he said.

FBI Director Derides Assassination Attempt on Trump, Vows Full Force Investigation

The suspect in the assassination attempt, Ryan Wesley Routh, was apprehended by the Secret Service after allegedly lurking on Trump's golf course for approximately 12 hours. Routh has been charged with federal gun crimes and is scheduled to appear in court on September 1.

Wray's remarks come as the Secret Service and Florida's attorney general, Ashley Moody, are also conducting their own investigations into the incident.

FBI Director Derides Assassination Attempt on Trump, Vows Full Force Investigation

Trump and his supporters have placed blame on Democrats, alleging that their extreme rhetoric has stoked violence against the former president.

The assassination attempt has reignited concerns about the safety of former presidents and the potential for political violence in the United States. Wray emphasized the FBI's commitment to thoroughly investigating the incident and bringing the perpetrator to justice.

FBI Director Derides Assassination Attempt on Trump, Vows Full Force Investigation

"I want to assure the American people that the men and women of the FBI are working tirelessly to get to the bottom of what happened," Wray said. "We will continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses."

The FBI's investigation is focused on determining the suspect's motives, whether he had any accomplices, and the extent of his planning. Authorities are also examining whether any potential co-conspirators were involved in the assassination attempt.

The incident underscores the ongoing threat to former presidents and other high-profile individuals, prompting calls for enhanced security measures. The Secret Service is responsible for protecting former presidents for a period of time after they leave office, but the duration of that protection has become a topic of debate.

The assassination attempt on Trump is a sobering reminder of the potential for violence in the political arena and the need for law enforcement to remain vigilant in protecting the safety of elected officials and former presidents.