WASHINGTON — A Florida man has been indicted on charges of attempted assassination of Donald Trump after he allegedly staked out the former president for 12 hours on a golf course. Ryan Wesley Routh’s indictment comes after he was initially charged with two federal firearms offenses. The five-count indictment reflects the Justice Department’s evaluation that Routh meticulously planned to take Trump’s life while he played golf in West Palm Beach, aiming a rifle through the surrounding shrubbery. Prosecutors stated that Routh left behind a note detailing his intentions.
Documents indicate that the case has been assigned to a federal judge who has faced scrutiny over previous dealings with Trump-related cases. Routh remains in custody after prosecutors successfully argued he poses a flight risk and a danger to public safety during a court hearing.
Prior to his arrest on September 15, Routh had allegedly expressed his wish to kill Trump in a handwritten note, referring to his actions as a “failed assassination attempt” and offering financial compensation for anyone who could complete the act. This note was discovered by law enforcement after it was opened by a witness who received it months earlier.
Prosecutors have also revealed that Routh maintained a detailed list of venues where Trump had appeared or was expected to appear in the coming months. The charges he now faces include attempted assassination, aggravated assault against a federal officer, and possession of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime, alongside his initial firearms charges.
The potential attack was thwarted when a Secret Service agent observed Routh’s rifle protruding through the golf course fence as Trump played. The agent fired in Routh’s direction, causing him to flee the scene; however, law enforcement apprehended him shortly thereafter in a neighboring county. Routh did not discharge his weapon nor had Trump in his direct line of sight during the incident.
This arrest follows an earlier assassination attempt on Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, raising serious concerns over the safety of political figures. Notably, the FBI has acknowledged that this situation is being treated as a potential assassination attempt, and Florida’s state government has initiated an investigation into further charges.
As the situation unfolds, Routh’s motives remain under heavy scrutiny. Investigations into his background revealed a notebook with criticisms of foreign governments and a book he authored which expressed opinions against Trump’s foreign policy, suggesting further depth to his alleged threats.
The gravity of the attempted assassination charge carries a potential life sentence upon conviction, underscoring the seriousness of the threats made against former President Trump.
