Trump: Biden-Harris rhetoric is to blame for Florida attack

Former President Donald Trump on Monday blamed a polarized political environment and the “rhetoric” of Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden for the second assassination attempt on his life over the weekend – although the motives of both shooters remain unclear.

He said comments by Harris and Biden prompted suspected shooter Ryan Wesley Routh to commit the attack on Sunday.

“He believed the rhetoric of Biden and Harris and acted on it,” Trump said of the shooter in an interview with Fox News Digital. “Their rhetoric is getting me shot when I'm the one who's going to save the country and they're the ones destroying the country — both from within and without.”

MORE: Trump's apparent assassination attempt: Investigators scour background of suspect Ryan Wesley Routh for motive

The suspect's motive remains unknown as the FBI continues to conduct an extensive investigation into Routh's background and whether Routh was unhappy with Trump's stance on Ukraine, sources told ABC News.

The FBI is investigating Sunday's incident as an “attempted murder.” It was not clear if Routh aimed his gun at the former president, and it is not clear if Routh fired a shot. Agents shot the suspect after spotting his rifle through the fence near the Trump International Golf Course, multiple sources told ABC News.

Routh appeared in federal court in West Palm Beach on Monday morning to face two firearms-related charges.

The former president accused the Democrats of using “extremely inflammatory language,” but at the same time attacked his opponents, calling them enemies and a threat.

“These are people who want to destroy our country,” Trump said. “They are called the enemy from within. They are the real threat.”

Harris' campaign said it would not comment on Trump's comments at this time.

The political nature of his comments differs from Trump's immediate reaction to his assassination attempt earlier this summer in Butler, Pennsylvania.

MORE: Trump safe after apparent ‘assassination attempt’; sources identify arrested man

After the shooting, Trump called for political unity and initially urged his allies not to shoot at other party colleagues.

“At this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united and show our true character as Americans, remain strong and determined, and not allow evil to win,” Trump wrote.

His tone later changed when he falsely claimed during the ABC News presidential debate that he was “probably shot in the head” because of Harris. The FBI has found no motive for why Thomas Matthew Crooks shot Trump.

MORE: Trump's apparent assassination attempt: Investigators scour background of suspect Ryan Wesley Routh for motive

It is unclear what motivated the suspected shooter in Pennsylvania, Thomas Matthew Crooks, to shoot the former president.

On Sunday, Secret Service agents shot Routh, who was armed with an AK-47 rifle, near the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida.

In a call with reporters on Monday, Biden called for more support from the Secret Service.

“I would like to make one thing clear: [Secret] “The military needs more support, and I think Congress should address their needs if they actually need more soldiers,” Biden said as he left the White House.

Trump says Biden and Harris' 'rhetoric' is responsible for Florida attack Originally published on abcnews.go.com