The man accused of attempting to assassinate former president Donald Trump at his golf club on Sunday appeared in federal court in Florida for his first appearance on Monday.
Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was detained after he allegedly fired a rifle from the bushes surrounding the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.
Trump was unharmed in the attempted attack, and he returned to his home at the Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach afterward. It is the second assassination attempt on Trump in a period of about two months.
Routh arrived shackled at the arms and legs in a prison uniform at the Paul G. Rogers Federal Courthouse in West Palm Beach Monday morning.
Routh was charged with possession of a firearm while a former felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Routh appeared in front of a magistrate judge. He reportedly shook his head, but did not say much beyond “yes judge.”
A detention hearing is scheduled for Monday.
Donald Trump survived his second assassination attempt on Sunday. Ryan Wesley Routh, left, the he suspect is shown in this 2022 Newsweek Romania interview.
AP Photo/Newsweek Romania
The FBI said Trump survived “what appears to be an assassination attempt.” His campaign staff said he was “safe following gunshots in his vicinity.”
Secret service agents opened fire at Routh after he was spotted near the property line of the golf course. He fled the scene and was later apprehended.
A vehicle with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office is parked outside of Trump International Golf Club after the apparent assassination attempt of Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. The suspect was spotted by Secret Service agents on the property line of the golf course.
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
Officials recovered an AK-47, a GoPro camera and a backpack were found in the bushes near where agents saw Routh.
Who is Ryan Wesley Routh?
Routh has previously been arrested eight times, mainly for minor offenses.
He spoke to Newsweek Romania in 2022 about his efforts to recruit volunteers for the International Legion Defense of Ukraine, a unit of Ukraine’s Ground Forces. Routh claimed to have fought in Ukraine.
His son, Oran Routh, told the Daily Mail that his father hates Trump.
A motive in the incident has not been announced yet.
Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said Routh does not have any known ties to the area at a press conference on Monday.
An officer with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office works outside of Trump International Golf Club after the apparent assassination attempt of Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. The incident remains under investigation.
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
Trump’s Response
Trump sent an email to his supporters following the incident.
“I AM SAFE AND WELL! Nothing will slow me down,” Trump wrote in the email. “I will NEVER SURRENDER! I will always love you for supporting me. Unity. Peace. Make America Great Again.”
Trump is expected to meet with the director of the Secret Service this afternoon to discuss the attack.
Responses From Elected Officials
President Joe Biden said on X that he was “relieved” that Trump was unharmed.
“I have directed my team to continue to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President’s continued safety,” Biden wrote.
Vice President Kamala Harris said on X that she was also briefed on the incident.
“I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America,” Harris said.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer said colleagues from both parties have been engaging in “very healthy” discussions following the attack.
“There is a very healthy discussion coming from both sides of the aisle. Both Republicans and Democrats, and frankly all Americans are very concerned that this is happening to President Trump,” Emmer said.
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