58-year old Ryan Wesley Routh wore a blue jumpsuit for his appearance in federal court in West Palm Beach, Fla. on Monday after authorities foiled what appeared to be a second assassination attempt against former President Trump.
- Routh was represented by a public defender and charged with multiple federal gun crimes.
- He could face far more serious charges as investigators work to uncover the full scope of his alleged plans.
Authorities have not identified a motive. The FBI said Monday afternoon that Routh had an “active online presence” that is being reviewed.
They are also looking into cellular data to determine his movements in the days and months leading up to Sunday’s events, authorities said.
There are bipartisan calls to provide more security for Trump following the second apparent attempt on his life within three months, after a shooter grazed him with a bullet at a rally in Butler, Pa.
Washington is also grappling with questions about how another potential assassin could have gotten so close to Trump again.
Here’s everything we know about the incident and the fallout:
What happened?
- Routh allegedly hid behind brush at Trump International Golf Course with a semi-automatic rifle as he waited for Trump to approach during a golf outing. Trump was about 300 to 500 yards away when the Secret Service spotted the muzzle of Routh’s rifle.
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Agents fired on Routh, who allegedly fled in a nearby vehicle with stolen license plates. Authorities say he left behind two backpacks, a rifle scope and a GoPro camera.
- A bystander spotted Routh fleeing and called the police. Authorities apprehended Routh about 40 minutes later on Interstate 95.
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Prosecutors say Routh’s cell phone data indicates he was near the golf course for about 12 hours prior to the incident.
Was this another security failure?
- Trump praised law enforcement for spotting and engaging Routh before the suspect had a chance to fire on the former president.
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Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said that if Trump was the current president, the entire golf course would have been “surrounded” with security. But because Trump is only a candidate, “security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible.”
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There are questions about how the shooter could have known where Trump would be, as the former president does not release a public schedule and authorities confirmed Monday afternoon that his golf outing was not previously announced.
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Martin County Sheriff William Snyder, whose deputies arrested Routh, said they’re looking into whether it’s part of a broader conspiracy.
“He’s not from this area. Which of course raises the bigger question, how does a guy from not here get all the way to Trump International, realize that the president, former president of the United States, is golfing and is able to get a rifle in that vicinity?…I think that’s the question the FBI, the Secret Service are laser-focused on today. Is this guy part of a conspiracy? Is he a lone gunman?”
- Snyder said he had spoken with Trump following the incident and reported that the former president had thanked law enforcement for their work. “He feels safe. That’s important, because he is,” the sheriff said.
What is Washington doing?
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President Biden on Monday called for additional security for Trump, saying Congress needs to act to make it happen. “One thing I want to make clear is, the service needs more help. And I think Congress should respond to their need.”
- There seems to be bipartisan support for additional security resources for Trump.
“We are demanding, in the House, that he have every asset available,” Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told ‘Fox & Friends’. “And we will make more available if necessary. I don’t think it’s a funding issue. I think it’s a manpower allocation.”
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Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) called the second assassination attempt in 60 days “unacceptable.”
“The Secret Service must come to Congress tomorrow, tell us what resources are needed to expand the protective perimeter, & lets allocate it in a bipartisan vote the same day.”
Who is investigating?
- The Justice Department, FBI, U.S. Secret Service, and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office held a joint press conference this afternoon.
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The bipartisan task force in the House investigating the Butler, Pa., shooting has requested a briefing from the Secret Service.
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) said his state will conduct its own investigation.
Who is Routh?
- The alleged gunman is an activist with a long history of legal troubles.
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He’s lived in North Carolina and Hawaii, while also traveling abroad to advocate for a larger military presence for Ukraine in its war with Russia. Ukrainian military units say they have no ties to Routh.
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Routh has faced dozens of criminal charges. In 2002, Routh was convicted of possessing a weapon of mass destruction — a machine gun — after barricading himself inside his roofing business during a standoff with police in North Carolina. He’s also been convicted of resisting arrest and carrying a concealed weapon.
What are Trump and Harris saying?
- Trump directly blamed Biden and Harris for the incident.
“[Routh] believed the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, and he acted on it,” Trump told Fox News Digital. “Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at.”
- Harris expressed relief that Trump was unharmed.
“I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America,” Harris wrote Sunday on X.
Perspectives:
The Wall Street Journal: Trump needs more protection.
The Guardian: Violence, intimidation have become a feature of U.S. politics.
