Ryan W. Routh, suspected of attempting to assassinate Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course, stands handcuffed between two Martin County Sheriff’s office deputies after his arrest during a traffic stop near Palm City, Florida, U.S., September 15, 2024. Martin County Sheriff’s Office/Handout via REUTERS 

Man Charged with Gun-Related Crimes Following Attempt to Approach Donald Trump at Florida Golf Course

Suspect Faces Federal Charges

A man suspected of attempting to assassinate former U.S. President Donald Trump was charged in federal court with two gun-related offenses on Monday. The charges were filed after the man was found with a rifle near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. Authorities identified the suspect as Ryan Routh, 58, and charged him with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. These charges are expected to keep Routh in custody as the investigation continues.

Incident at Trump’s Golf Course

The incident occurred on Sunday when Routh was seen hiding in the bushes near Trump’s golf course. According to a criminal complaint, he was armed with a rifle, raising concerns about how an armed suspect managed to get so close to the former president. Trump, the Republican candidate for the 2024 U.S. presidential election, was unharmed. However, the episode has sparked new scrutiny, coming just two months after a previous attempt on Trump’s life during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. In that incident, a gunman fired at Trump, grazing his ear with a bullet.

Phone records indicated that Routh may have been lying in wait for nearly 12 hours, starting at 1:59 a.m. on Sunday. The U.S. Secret Service, which was guarding Trump, opened fire after an agent spotted a rifle barrel protruding from the bushes. The gunman fled the scene in a sports utility vehicle but was arrested approximately 40 minutes later while driving north on Interstate 95.

Weapons and Evidence Recovered

Law enforcement officers recovered a loaded assault-style rifle equipped with a scope, a digital camera, and a plastic bag of food left behind at the scene. The complaint noted that Routh’s vehicle had a stolen license plate. When asked if he knew why he had been stopped, Routh reportedly acknowledged the situation.

Routh has two prior convictions, both from North Carolina, according to the complaint. His previous offenses include a 2002 conviction for possession of a weapon of mass destruction and a 2010 conviction for possession of stolen goods. Further details about these prior cases have not yet been made public.

Trump’s Response and Accusations

In the aftermath of the incident, Trump blamed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for what he described as an assassination attempt. He claimed that their “rhetoric” was responsible for the gunman’s actions, though no evidence of a political motive has been confirmed by authorities.

In a statement to Fox News, Trump said, “Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at, when I am the one who is going to save the country, and they are the ones that are destroying the country – both from the inside and out.”

Security Concerns and Secret Service Scrutiny

The U.S. Secret Service, which is tasked with protecting high-level officials and presidential candidates, has faced heightened criticism following the incident. The agency had already come under intense scrutiny after the earlier attempt on Trump’s life in July, leading to the resignation of then-Director Kimberly Cheatle. Since then, the Secret Service has increased Trump’s security detail.

President Biden expressed relief that Trump was unharmed, stating on Monday, “Thank God the president’s OK.” He also acknowledged the challenges the Secret Service faces and suggested the agency might require additional personnel. Vice President Harris responded on social media, saying, “Violence has no place in America.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who previously convened a bipartisan task force to investigate the July assassination attempt, announced that Congress would also examine this latest incident. He emphasized the need for accountability and called for more resources to ensure the safety of political figures.

The current Acting Director of the Secret Service, Ronald Rowe, traveled to Florida following Sunday’s incident. Rowe, who assumed his position after Cheatle’s resignation, had previously expressed concerns over security lapses during the July attack.

Suspect’s Alleged Political Views

Routh has been described as a supporter of Ukraine, with social media profiles linked to him showing messages in favor of the country following Russia’s 2022 invasion. He had reportedly traveled to Ukraine in support of the war effort and expressed anti-Trump sentiments online, describing the former president as a threat to U.S. democracy.

One of the posts attributed to Routh read, “@POTUS Your campaign should be called something like KADAF. Keep America democratic and free. Trumps should be MASA … make Americans slaves again master. DEMOCRACY is on the ballot and we cannot lose.”

Law enforcement agencies have not confirmed the authenticity of these accounts, and public access to Routh’s profiles was restricted following the incident.

Political Repercussions

Democrats, including Vice President Harris, have consistently labeled Trump as a danger to U.S. democracy, referencing his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, which culminated in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Harris has also emphasized her strong support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Meanwhile, Trump has taken a more skeptical stance regarding the U.S.’s financial aid to Ukraine, advocating for peace negotiations and suggesting that Ukraine might need to cede some territory to end the war.

Elon Musk’s Controversial Remarks

Elon Musk, the owner of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), briefly entered the controversy by posting and then deleting a message speculating about assassination attempts against Biden or Harris. Musk, who has publicly endorsed Trump, later clarified that his comment was meant as a joke.

This incident has raised significant concerns over the security of political leaders in the lead-up to the November 2024 election, with lawmakers, security experts, and the public closely watching for further developments.