Ryan Routh plotted to assassinate Donald Trump with military-grade weapons

In September 2024, Ryan Routh attempted to assassinate Donald Trump at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Routh, armed with an illegal SKS rifle, positioned himself for 12 hours waiting for Trump to arrive to play golf. Secret Service agents spotted Routh before he could take a shot, leading to a confrontation where agents fired at him as he fled the scene. His actions were part of a broader plan that included attempts to acquire military-grade weapons, such as a rocket launcher from a Ukrainian contact, which he believed would facilitate his mission against the political figure. Routh's plot involved significant premeditation; he conducted reconnaissance on Trump's location and tracked the former president’s travel patterns. He even communicated with an associate about obtaining lethal weapons, including a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) or stinger missile, expressing that he needed equipment to ensure Trump could not be elected again. His motivations stemmed from a belief that Trump was harmful to democracy and specifically detrimental to Ukraine amidst the ongoing war in the region. The Justice Department has characterized Routh's actions as clear steps towards an assassination attempt, citing his attempts to purchase heavy firearms, research Trump’s routines, and sketch out escape plans. He was arrested only a short distance from the golf course, carrying various items like fake identification and a written escape plan at the time. Routh now faces multiple federal and state charges including attempted murder and terrorism, with prosecutors asserting the seriousness of the threats he posed. The situation has drawn attention to issues of public safety concerning high-profile figures and the responses of law enforcement to potential threats. Routh's defense attorneys have moved to suppress eyewitness testimony, arguing that police pressured witnesses to identify him, which they claim could lead to a misidentification. His trial is set to begin in September 2025, with potential implications for the broader political environment as they unveil the circumstances surrounding such extreme actions against a presidential candidate.