In the early hours of Sunday, an armed individual was shot dead after breaching security at Mar-A-Lago, prompting a flurry of accusations from Republican leaders. The incident unfolded at President Donald Trump’s Palm Beach estate, where security measures were put to the test.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt took to social media platform X to voice her concerns, attributing the incident to Democrats’ decisions that she claims jeopardize public safety. “By blocking funding for the Department of Homeland Security, they are endangering lives,” she stated, emphasizing the role of the Secret Service in maintaining national security.
Leavitt praised federal law enforcement for their swift response, labeling the Democrats’ actions as “shameful and reckless.” She asserted, “Federal law enforcement are working 24/7 to keep our country safe and protect all Americans.”
Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff, echoed this sentiment in a post on X, lamenting the historical context of federal law enforcement funding. “Never before in history has federal law enforcement been purposefully defunded,” he remarked, aligning with Leavitt’s narrative.
As investigations into the gunman’s motives continue, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pointed fingers at Democrats, linking their anti-Trump rhetoric to what he termed an attempted assassination. “Two would-be assassins dead, one in jail for life. This venom coming from the other side,” he told a news outlet during a weekend interview.
Bessent criticized a controversial campaign ad featuring the slogan “Fuck Trump” used by Illinois’ Democratic Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, calling for its removal. “Look at this terrible, profane Senate commercial in Illinois. I would call for them to take that down,” he urged.
“We don’t know whether this person was a mastermind, unhinged or what, but they are normalizing this violence,” Bessent continued, emphasizing the need for a cessation of such rhetoric.
Far-right commentator Alex Jones supported Bessent’s claims, sharing his Fox News appearance on X and asserting that the Democrats’ increasing calls for violence against Republicans are to blame for the incident.
The Secret Service reported that the deceased gunman was seen near the north gate of Mar-A-Lago carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can around 1:30 a.m. He was confronted by agents after entering the estate, leading to a fatal encounter with law enforcement.
While the gunman’s identity remains undisclosed, authorities have identified him as a man in his early 20s from North Carolina. At the time of the incident, President Trump was in Washington, D.C., far from the chaos that unfolded at his resort.
