Ryan Routh charged with attempting to assassinate Trump at golf course

Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was arrested on September 15 after a Secret Service agent spotted the muzzle of an SKS assault rifle at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Routh allegedly camped out for nearly 12 hours with the intent to assassinate Donald Trump, who is a major political candidate for the 2024 election. During his court appearance, prosecutors argued that the evidence against him is substantial, leading to his detention without bail. Routh faces charges related to illegal firearm possession as a convicted felon, with a history of serious offenses including a 2002 conviction for possession of a weapon of mass destruction. Prosecutors revealed that Routh had penned a note expressing his intent to kill Trump and encouraging others to do the same, offering a reward for their success. This chilling admission raises concerns about his potential danger to the community. In a campaign email, Trump criticized the charges against Routh as insufficient and called for state law enforcement to take over the investigation, citing a conflict of interest with federal authorities. He emphasized that Florida charges would be more severe than those proposed by the FBI, suggesting a lack of trust in the federal justice system. Routh's lawyer argued for his release to live with his sister, claiming he is not a danger to the community. However, the judge sided with prosecutors, highlighting the serious nature of the charges and the potential threat Routh poses, leading to his continued detention until trial.