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Prosecutors charge man with attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump

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Tuesday, October 1, 2024

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Routh (middle) being detained by police officers (left and right)
Image: Martin County Sheriff's Office.

The man accused of attempting to assassinate former U.S. president Donald Trump earlier this month was charged by federal authorities on Tuesday. The man, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, is accused of attempting to assassinate the president on September 15 at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, United States, where Trump had been playing golf. Routh now faces three additional charges: attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate, possessing a firearm to carry out a violent crime, and assaulting a federal officer, in addition to two federal charges of criminal possession of a firearm. If convicted, Routh potentially faces life in prison.

Trump International Golf Club in April 2019. In this photo, Trump is with a radio commentator as the two pose for a photo while playing golf together.
Image: The White House.

Investigations in the intervening days suggest that Routh proceeded with intent to assassinate the former president. On Monday, prosecutors revealed details of their investigation that indicate "probable cause to support additional charges." Prosecutors also indicated a note Routh had written about his plans to kill Trump will be used as additional evidence. On the day of the attack, Routh is believed to have arrived at the golf course at 1:59 a.m. local time (0559 UTC), then staked out for twelve hours for Trump to appear, according to CNN.

Routh had previously been arrested and convicted in 2002 for possession of a machine gun. According to NBC News, there were no records of him being incarcerated as a result.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said of the act, "[v]iolence targeting public officials endangers everything our country stands for, and the Department of Justice will use every available tool to hold Ryan Routh accountable."


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