Trump Addresses Mar-A-Lago Intruder, Says ‘Got A Lot Of People Gunning For Me’
President Trump spoke publicly Monday for the first time about the armed intruder who was shot and killed by Secret Service agents at Mar-A-Lago, acknowledging the incident with a mix of seriousness and humor.
While addressing angel families in the East Room of the White House, President Trump referenced the danger of holding office. “I don’t know how long I’ll be around,” he said. “Got a lot of people gunning for me.”
He added that historically, violent actors tend to target consequential presidents, referencing Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy. “So maybe I want to be a little less consequential? Can we hold it back a little bit, please? Can this be a normal presidency for a little while?” he joked.
The Secret Service confirmed Sunday that agents, along with deputies from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, shot and killed an armed man who breached the secure perimeter of Mar-A-Lago around 1:30 a.m. President Trump was not at the Florida residence at the time, having remained in Washington over the weekend.
Authorities later identified the suspect as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin of Cameron, North Carolina, who had been reported missing by his family the day before. Officials said Martin was carrying a shotgun and a fuel can when confronted and refused commands to drop the items.
The FBI is leading the investigation, working in coordination with the Secret Service. Agents involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the review, which is standard procedure in such cases.
Some media outlets have speculated about the suspect’s possible motives, including reports that he may have referenced the Jeffrey Epstein files in communications. However, officials have not confirmed any specific motive. Secret Service communications chief Anthony Guglielmi cautioned against drawing conclusions, saying the investigation remains ongoing and more work is needed to determine the suspect’s background and intentions.