Attempted Assassin Arrested near Trump’s Florida Golf Course: Ryan Routh Faces Charges

Federal prosecutors have charged Ryan Wesley Routh with the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, who was a major Presidential candidate at the time. Routh was spotted with a gun near where Trump was golfing in West Palm Beach, Florida on September 15. The indictment carries a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted, and also includes charges of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer. Routh had prior charges of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The case has been assigned to a judge appointed by Trump, and other charges were added after evidence was collected, including a handwritten note addressed to “The World” admitting to the assassination attempt. Trump has accused the Justice Department of downplaying the plot and suggested state officials take over the case. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the importance of holding Routh accountable to prevent violence against public officials, stating that “this must stop.” Routh, 58, has been ordered held without bail pending trial and has not yet been arraigned. Trump was also the victim of an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania in July, where the gunman was killed by Secret Service after opening fire at a campaign rally.

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