President Trump delivered his first public remarks following the fatal shooting of an armed intruder at Mar-a-Lago, telling an audience of Angel Families that he has “got a lot of people gunning for me” while reflecting on the dangers facing consequential presidents.

Trump’s Response to Latest Security Threat

Speaking at a White House event for families who lost loved ones to crimes committed by illegal immigrants, Trump addressed the incident with characteristic directness. Austin Tucker Martin, 21, of Cameron, North Carolina, was shot and killed by Secret Service agents after refusing to drop a rifle while carrying a gas can on the Mar-a-Lago grounds around 1:30 AM. Trump was not at the property during the breach, having hosted governors for dinner at the White House.

The president took a philosophical approach to the attempt, joking that perhaps he should be “a little bit less consequential” to avoid drawing such dangerous attention. He compared himself to Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, noting that attackers “only go after consequential presidents” rather than those who lack significant impact. The Angel Families audience responded with polite laughter to his self-deprecating remarks about the presidency’s inherent risks.

Security Incident Details

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw provided details during a press conference, explaining that Martin was discovered carrying both a rifle and a gas can. When ordered to drop both items, Martin complied with the gas can but raised the shotgun into a shooting position. Secret Service agents immediately opened fire and “neutralized the threat” before any harm could occur to the property or personnel.

Pattern of Threats Against Trump

This incident marks the third serious threat against Trump since 2024. During his campaign, he survived an assassination attempt at a Butler, Pennsylvania rally where gunman Thomas Crooks fired eight shots, grazing the president’s ear and killing an attendee before being eliminated by a Secret Service counter-sniper. Additionally, Ryan Routh attempted to assassinate Trump while he played golf at his West Palm Beach club, located just miles from Mar-a-Lago. Routh was spotted and stopped before executing his plan, receiving a life sentence earlier this month. Trump acknowledged his mortality during remarks, telling the Angel Families he doesn’t know “how long I’ll be around.”