WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Former president Donald Trump spoke publicly for the first time about Sunday’s attempted assassination.
Trump says it was a normal day on the golf course until he was rushed away to safety by Secret Service. Although the two differ vigorously on policy, Trump says he has a pleasant phone call with President Joe Biden following the indecent.
For the first time Trump is speaking about the close call.
"All of a sudden we heard shots being fired in the air and I guess probably 4 or 5,” said Trump.
Trump blamed the rhetoric of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for the apparent attempt on his life.
"Well, there's a lot of rhetoric going on. A lot of people think that the Democrats, when they talk about, threat to democracy and all of this,” said Trump.
Newly released body camera footage shows the arrest of suspected gunman Ryan Wesley Routh after authorities say he attempted to assassinate Trump.
Routh appeared in court Monday facing federal weapons charges in connection with Sunday’s incident.
On Capitol Hill Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer talked about more resources for the Secret Service.
"We all must do our part to ensure an incident like this does not happen again,” said Schumer.
Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott says he's concerned about the former president's life.
"We’ve got to keep Trump safe and clearly there’s the biggest more threats than anybody else in the world,” said Scott.
Acting Secret Service director Ronald Rowe says right now Trump has the highest levels of protection from the agency.
