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Security concerns have always surrounded former President Donald Trump’s love of golf. The vast open spaces of golf courses present a unique challenge for the Secret Service tasked with protecting the president.
The recent suspected assassination attempt on Trump at his South Florida golf club reignited fears about the security risks posed by his frequent golfing habit. While most presidents have enjoyed the occasional round of golf, Trump’s regularity and intensity of play have raised red flags among security experts for years.
On a sunny Sunday at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, a Secret Service agent spotted a shooter with a rifle near the fence and fired at him before he fled. The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was charged with federal firearms offenses the following day. Fortunately, Trump was unharmed as he enjoyed his game of golf over 300-500 yards away.
The incident highlighted the challenges faced by Trump’s security detail when it comes to his passion for golf. Retired Secret Service officers and security experts warned that outdoor events like golfing tournaments can be incredibly difficult and stressful for security personnel. Unlike other events where a protectee can be surrounded by steel or glass, golf courses present unique vulnerabilities due to their vast and open nature.
Trump’s golfing habits have been a point of concern for his security detail over the years. Mike Olson, a retired Secret Service veteran with 21 years of experience, noted that it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that if Trump is at Mar-a-Lago and the weather is nice, he’s likely headed to a golf course. This predictability makes it easier for potential threats to target him.
Jillian Snider, a former NYPD officer and policy director at the R Street Institute, highlighted the security risks posed by golf courses. While the lack of buildings or structures on a golf course can make it difficult for a would-be gunman to find cover, it also provides a skilled shooter with a clear line of sight to their target.
Trump’s regular visits to his private golf clubs have long been a concern for the Secret Service and his associates. Despite security measures taken to protect these properties, the vast open spaces surrounding them leave them vulnerable to security breaches. Additionally, the public nature of these clubs, where members and visitors can freely roam, poses a challenge for security.
Threats to Trump extend beyond the confines of his private clubs. Golf courses like the one where the suspected assassination attempt occurred in West Palm Beach are often located near public grounds and major roadways, making them difficult to secure. Media photographers with long-range lens have been able to capture images of Trump golfing at his various clubs, raising concerns about a potential security threat if photographers were to stake out a position for nefarious purposes.
As Trump’s security team has shrunk since leaving office, the security risks associated with his golfing have only increased. The property in West Palm Beach where the attempted assassination took place was described as more challenging to lock down than Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s private club and residence without a golf course.
While Trump’s regular golf outings pose security risks, his private country clubs where he often plays provide authorities with an easier framework to protect the grounds. Secret Service officers escorting Trump were able to spot the accused assassin by identifying the rifle barrel protruding through the treeline, demonstrating their vigilance.
Security experts have proposed various measures to mitigate the risks of Trump’s golf outings, such as making his trips less predictable or increasing security measures on the course. Despite the challenges posed by golf courses, the Secret Service has decades of experience protecting presidents on the links and will continue to adapt to ensure the safety of those in their charge.
