(ProsperNews.net) – CNN analyst and former Obama administration official Juliette Kayyem expressed concern that the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump will be used for political purposes in the upcoming election. Kayyem, reacting to the failed attempt on Trump’s life on Sunday, warned that the incident could be exploited in the highly charged political environment.
“The problem is this is a safety issue that is being thrown into a very intense political environment in which the very fact of an assassination, a constitutional moment because it could have impacted voters, will be used for political purposes,” Kayyem said. She emphasized that the incident should not be politicized, describing it as “exceptionally unfortunate.”
Kayyem stressed the need for political campaigns to be free of violence, arguing that it should not be used as a tool by any side. “Whatever your beliefs are, we do deserve to have campaigns where violence is not being used as either a sword or a shield,” she said, predicting that the assassination attempt would likely become a political talking point in the weeks ahead.
The latest attempt on Trump’s life occurred while he was golfing at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Authorities reported that Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspect, aimed an AK-47 at Trump from a distance of 300 to 500 yards before being spotted by the Secret Service. Agents fired at Routh, who fled the scene but was quickly apprehended. This incident marks the second assassination attempt on Trump in recent months.
Kayyem underscored that political figures, regardless of public opinion, should be protected from harm. “I don’t care what you feel about him or [Kamala] Harris, this is the expectation that he will be safe,” she said, calling for a reasonable standard of safety for all political leaders.
Routh, who has a long history of run-ins with the law, was found to have posted frequently on social media about Trump, the war in Ukraine, the 2020 election, and other major political topics. In one of his posts, Routh commented on the first assassination attempt against Trump in July, criticizing the former president and calling on Vice President Kamala Harris to visit those injured in the Pennsylvania rally attack.
The July assassination attempt left Trump wounded after a gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop, grazing Trump’s ear. One of his supporters, Corey Comperatore, was killed in the shooting before the gunman was shot dead by law enforcement.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running against Trump in the 2024 election, condemned the recent violence and expressed relief that Trump was unharmed. “As we gather the facts, I will be clear: I condemn political violence. We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence,” Harris stated. She praised the Secret Service for their quick response, adding, “Our Administration will ensure the Secret Service has every resource, capability, and protective measure necessary to carry out its critical mission.”
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