Suspect in alleged Trump assassination attempt charged with federal weapons offenses

The suspect in what police described as an apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump was charged in federal court on Monday.

Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was arrested Sunday after authorities said he was seen aiming a rifle through a fence near where Trump was playing golf at his Florida club.

Routh entered the courtroom Monday wearing dark prison garb, with his hands and feet shackled, Scripps News West Palm Beach reports. He was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, The Associated Press reports. If convicted, Routh faces up to 15 years in prison for the first charge and five years for the second.

A bail hearing is scheduled for Sept. 23 and a probationary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 30, AP reported.

What you should know about the suspect

Routh owns a construction company and volunteered to fight for them in Ukraine's war against Russia.

He is also an outspoken critic of Trump. In a self-published book last year, Routh called the former president “an idiot, a buffoon and a fool.”

Routh also has a criminal past related to weapons.

In 2002, the Greensboro News & Record reported that Routh barricaded himself inside a North Carolina roofing business during a three-hour standoff with police. Routh was charged with several charges in the incident, including possession of a weapon of mass destruction, namely a fully automatic machine gun.

It is reported that Routh lived in North Carolina before moving to Hawaii.

Officials comment

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the state had launched its own investigation into the incident.

“The State of Florida will conduct its own investigation into the attempted assassination at Trump International Golf Club,” DeSantis said on X.

“People have a right to know the truth about the potential assassin and how he was able to get within 500 feet of the former president and current Republican candidate,” he said.

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President Joe Biden also called on Congress to provide more support to the Secret Service.

“I want to make one thing clear: The service needs more help. And I think Congress should respond to that need,” President Biden said.

“Thank God the president is fine,” he said.

He said the Secret Service could decide whether that meant more personnel were needed or not.

President Biden had previously spoken out against political violence in a statement.

Vice President Kamala Harris expressed similar sentiments.

“I am deeply disturbed by the possible assassination attempt on former President Trump today,” she said in a statement on Sunday. “As we gather the facts, I will be clear: I condemn political violence. We must all do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to further violence.”

“I am grateful that former President Trump is safe. I commend the U.S. Secret Service and its law enforcement partners for their vigilance,” Harris said. “As President Biden has said, our administration will ensure that the Secret Service has all the resources, capabilities and protections it needs to carry out its important mission.”

Trump was not injured in the incident, which was believed to be the second assassination attempt on him in nine weeks.

On Sunday evening, he thanked the Secret Service and other police officers for their safety via social media.

“I want to thank everyone for their concern and well wishes – it's been a truly interesting day!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Most importantly, I want to thank the US Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his office of brave and dedicated patriots, and all law enforcement for the incredible job they did today at Trump International to keep me SAFE as the 45th President of the United States and Republican candidate in the upcoming Presidential Election. THE JOB WAS ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!”

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