In a chilling event that took place at the Trump International Golf Course in Florida, Ryan Wesley Routh has emerged as the main suspect in an alleged assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.
This unexpected and unsettling incident raises numerous important questions: Who is Routh? What motivated him? And how did this happen, especially after a similar incident just a few months earlier? Below, we break down the six key points surrounding Routh and the plot.
1. What Did Ryan Wesley Routh Do?
On a quiet Sunday at the Trump International Golf Course in Florida, Routh allegedly arrived armed with an SKS-style rifle. As Trump played a round of golf, Routh concealed himself in dense bushes nearby. After spotting the rifle’s barrel sticking out from the shrubbery, a Secret Service agent fired in Routh’s direction, causing him to flee the area. The FBI later recovered Routh’s rifle, a scope, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera, suggesting he may have intended to document the event.
In the below video link from “Inside Edition” police bodycam footage shows the dramatic moment when Routh was taken into custody. Walking backward with his shirt over his head to indicate he wasn’t carrying any weapons, Routh was apprehended just 45 minutes after fleeing the golf course. Authorities believe he spent nearly 12 hours lying in wait, possibly planning an attack. This has sparked public outcry, with many questioning how someone could get so close to Trump, despite his heavy security. Inside Edition’s Steven Fabian has more on how the capture unfolded.
While Routh is not believed to have fired any shots, and never had a clear line of sight to Trump, the idea that an armed individual could come so close to a former president has prompted serious questions about potential security lapses.
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2. Who Is Ryan Wesley Routh?
Routh’s life story is complex and filled with twists. A native of North Carolina, he spent much of his life there before moving to Hawaii in recent years. In Hawaii, Routh claimed to be involved in building affordable housing, but it was his involvement in another international cause that first brought him into the public eye.
In 2023, Routh was featured in a New York Times article about Americans with little or no military experience volunteering to fight in Ukraine. During the interview, Routh shared grand plans of recruiting former Afghan soldiers to fight against Russia, despite having no prior military experience himself. The reporter, Thomas Gibbons-Neff, noted that Routh seemed ill-prepared and unrealistic in his goals, talking about forging passports and bribing officials to further his aims.
Routh’s past also includes a criminal record. In 2002, he was arrested after a three-hour standoff with police in North Carolina, during which he was charged with possessing a fully automatic machine gun. He also has convictions for hit-and-run and possession of stolen goods. Despite his criminal history, Routh’s son expressed surprise at his father’s recent actions, painting him as someone who wouldn’t resort to violence.
3. His Changing Political Views.
Routh’s political stance has shifted significantly over the years. In 2016, he supported and voted for Donald Trump. However, in the years following, Routh’s views changed, and he began to distance himself from Trump. Court documents and interviews reveal that Routh later expressed support for other political figures and causes, most notably his strong stance in favor of Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression.
The switch from Trump supporter to someone allegedly willing to harm the former president shows the complexity of Routh’s political journey. It remains unclear what drove him to take such drastic steps, but it’s clear that his views and life circumstances evolved dramatically over time.
4. The Weapon: An Assault-Style Rifle
One of the most alarming aspects of this plot was Routh’s choice of weapon: a modified SKS-style rifle. Assault-style rifles have become synonymous with mass shootings in the U.S. in recent years. Similar rifles, including the AR-15, have been used in some of the deadliest shootings, such as the 2019 El Paso attack where 23 people were killed.
Adding to the severity of the case, Routh’s rifle had the serial number scratched off, which is illegal. Routh was also legally prohibited from owning firearms due to his prior felony convictions. The FBI received a tip about Routh’s illegal possession of a weapon in 2019, but after investigating the claim, they closed the case due to insufficient information. This decision is now being heavily scrutinized as the public questions how such a dangerous individual could fall through the cracks.
5. How Did Another Assassination Attempt Happen So Quickly?
One of the most pressing concerns is how Routh was able to get so close to Trump just months after a similar assassination attempt occurred. During a press conference following the incident, law enforcement officials revealed that Trump’s trip to the golf course was unplanned. Because of this, the Secret Service had not yet fully secured the perimeter of the course when the former president began his round.
Routh was able to spend nearly 12 hours hidden in the bushes before being detected by an agent. This lapse in security has raised serious questions about the safety of public figures and whether more resources are needed to protect them in public spaces. Some lawmakers are now suggesting that former presidents like Trump may require higher levels of security than they currently receive.
You can view the location from Google below where the attempt happened.
6. The Bigger Issue: Political Violence and Gun Control
Beyond the immediate threat posed by Routh, this incident sheds light on a more troubling issue: the rise of political violence in the United States. Garen Wintemute, an expert on political and gun violence, has warned that there is a small but growing segment of the American population that believes political violence is justifiable. This disturbing trend, coupled with the increased availability of high-powered firearms, has made it significantly harder to protect public officials.
Since the expiration of the federal assault weapons ban in 2004, the availability of dangerous, long-range firearms like Routh’s rifle has increased. Some lawmakers, including Vice President Kamala Harris, have called for the reinstatement of the assault weapons ban to prevent further incidents. However, the debate over gun control remains highly polarized, with many Republicans in Congress opposing stricter regulations.
As the investigation into Routh’s motives and actions continues, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges America faces in addressing political violence and reforming gun control laws.
In summary, Ryan Wesley Routh’s alleged assassination plot against Donald Trump is a shocking event that has raised important questions about security, gun control, and the rise of political violence in the U.S. As the details of the case unfold, it becomes clear that this incident is part of a larger, more complex issue facing the nation today.
Curious to know more in detail about this more? Find out from the official BBC News channel here.
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Ryan Wesley Routh is an individual who gained national attention for an alleged plot to harm former President Donald Trump. His background and motives became a topic of public interest when the incident was revealed, although much of his personal life remained obscure to the general public.
Routh was accused of plotting an attack on Donald Trump, which led to his arrest and investigation. Details of the plan were taken seriously by authorities, though the full extent of his intentions or ability to carry out the plot was debated during the legal proceedings.
Routh’s reasons for allegedly targeting Trump have not been fully disclosed, but it has been suggested that his actions were politically motivated. Some reports pointed to disagreements with Trump’s policies or possible mental health concerns influencing his behavior.
No, Ryan Wesley Routh’s plan was foiled before it could be carried out. Authorities intervened in time, leading to his arrest and subsequent legal proceedings. There was never any direct threat to Trump as Routh’s actions were stopped at the planning stage.
After his arrest, Routh faced legal charges and underwent a court trial. While details of his sentencing have not been fully made public, he was subjected to federal investigation, and discussions of his mental health were brought up as part of his defense.