Man accused of assassinating Trump could face 15 years in prison for federal gun crimes: What happens next? – Trump Media & Technology (NASDAQ:DJT)

A man accused of attempting to murder the former president Donald Trump in Florida appeared in court Monday morning to face the charges and learn the next steps in the legal process.

What happened: Ryan Wesley Routh was charged with two federal firearms-related crimes in connection with his attempted assassination of Trump, the second attempt on the former president's life before the 2024 election.

Routh was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number in a brief hearing Monday morning, the Associated Press reported.

If found guilty of the first count, Routh faces up to 15 years in prison. If found guilty of the second count, he faces five years in prison.

The next hearings are scheduled for September 23 for a bail hearing and September 30 for a probation hearing or indictment, depending on whether the government files charges on both counts.

Routh told the court he currently works and makes about $3,000 a month. The shooter said he has no savings, no real estate, and his only assets are two trucks worth $1,000 each that are in Hawaii. Routh also said he sometimes supports his 25-year-old son.

Also read: Trump vows to 'never give up' after surviving second assassination attempt

Why it is important: The alleged assassination attempt occurred Sunday at a Florida golf course where Trump was golfing. A member of the Secret Service spotted Routh and fired several warning shots, after which the gunman fled in an SUV. An assault rifle and a scope were recovered, while reports say Routh never fired a shot.

Trump lashed out at the Democratic Party, saying the negativity directed at him was the motive for Routh's foiled assassination attempt.

Trump said Routh “believed the rhetoric of Biden and Harris and acted accordingly.”

“Their rhetoric is putting me under fire when I'm the one who's going to save the country and they're the ones who are destroying the country – both from within and without,” Trump told Fox News.

Routh had reportedly previously expressed his support for Trump online, but later posted negative comments about him and withdrew his support for Joe Biden And Kamala Harris.

Not much is known about Routh after the assassination. The Associated Press previously filmed Routh at a demonstration in Kiev, Ukraine, after Russia invaded the country. While participating in the rally, Routh held up a sign that said Russia's corruption and evil cannot be tolerated.

Ukrainian officials have said Routh has never served in the Ukrainian army or worked with the country's military. One official said Routh has contacted the Ukrainian government in the past with “delusional” and “nonsensical ideas.”

Routh said in an earlier interview that he was working to recruit foreign fighters in Ukraine after being denied volunteer work due to his advanced age.

“Many other conflicts are gray, but this conflict is definitely black and white. This is about good versus evil,” Routh said in a video, Reuters reported.

The second attack on Trump in less than two months has sparked calls for additional security measures for the former president. Senator Rick Scott said he would propose legislation to increase security for Trump and other former presidents. Speaker of the House Michael Johnson also said that the U.S. House of Representatives would demand additional protection for Trump from the Secret Service.

Acting Director of the Secret Service Ronald Rowe is scheduled to visit the golf course in Florida where Sunday's events took place on Monday. Rowe will also be briefed on the investigation on Monday.

Shares of Trump Media and Technology Group DJT Following the assassination and Trump's announcement that he would not sell his stake in the company after the lock-up period expired at the end of the month, there were sharp price fluctuations during trading on Monday.

The stock traded higher in premarket trading before falling. Shares are currently down 4% at $17.30 on Monday, versus a 52-week trading range of $15.30 to $79.38.

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