Decision Desk HQ / The Hill Logo

Decision Desk HQ and The Hill’s ultimate hub for polls, predictions, and election results.

Harris calls Trump after apparent assassination attempt

By Alex Gangitano - 9/17/24, 2:56 PM EDT

The Hill story news image

Vice President Harris called former President Trump on Tuesday for a quick conservation following the apparent second assassination attempt against him on Sunday.

Harris expressed to Trump “that she is grateful he is safe,” according to a White House official, who described the conversation as “cordial and brief.”

“I checked on to see if he was okay. And, I told him what I have said publicly-- there’s no place for political violence in our country. I am in this election and this race for many reasons, including to fight for our democracy and in a democracy, there is no place for political violence,” Harris told a panel at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).

Harris and Trump met for the first time on the debate stage last week and were together again on Wednesday in New York City for the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

President Biden and Trump also spoke on Monday, and the Republican nominee called the conservation "a very nice call," saying the two focused on Secret Service protection.

Earlier on Monday, Trump directly blamed Harris and Biden for the latest incident, arguing that their rhetoric inspired violence against him. Biden has said the Secret Service “needs more help” and called on Congress to respond to the needs.

Trump was playing golf in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Sunday when Secret Service agents noticed a man with an AK-style rifle on the perimeter of the course. 

Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was charged Monday with two gun crimes after allegedly pushing the rifle's muzzle through the fence along the course. An agent fired at the man, who then fled in a car and was later apprehended traveling from Palm Beach County into Martin County on Interstate 95.

Story was updated at 3:15 p.m. ET

Related Stories