FBI investigates alleged Trump assassination attempt as details about suspect emerge

The FBI is trying to find out how a man with an assault rifle was able to get within a few hundred meters of former President Donald Trump. Law enforcement authorities are calling it an obvious assassination attempt.

The incident occurred Sunday at Trump International Golf Club in Florida when a Secret Service agent spotted a rifle barrel lodged in a chain-link fence directly in front of Trump's golf course. The agent intervened and fired approximately four to six shots, but it is unclear whether the suspect was even capable of firing any shots.

The suspect was identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh.

Routh is a Hawaiian construction contractor who volunteered to fight for Ukraine in its war against Russia. In a self-published book last year, Routh called Trump “an idiot, a buffoon and a fool.”

In 2002, the Greensboro News & Record reported that Routh barricaded himself inside a roofing business during a three-hour standoff with police. Routh was charged with several counts in that incident, including possession of a weapon of mass destruction, a fully automatic machine gun.

The incident on the golf course has prompted authorities to question security precautions for Trump's frequent golf outings and public appearances.

Routh is due in court on Monday.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also said the state had launched its own investigation into the incident.

“The State of Florida will conduct its own investigation into the attempted assassination at Trump International Golf Club,” DeSantis said on X.

“People have a right to know the truth about the potential assassin and how he was able to get within 500 feet of the former president and current Republican candidate,” he said.

Trump was not injured in the alleged second assassination attempt on him in just nine weeks.
On Sunday evening, he thanked the Secret Service and other police officers for their safety via social media.

“I want to thank everyone for their concern and well wishes – it's been a truly interesting day!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Most importantly, I want to thank the US Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his office of brave and dedicated patriots, and all law enforcement for the incredible job they did today at Trump International to keep me SAFE as the 45th President of the United States and Republican candidate in the upcoming Presidential Election. THE JOB WAS ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!”

President Joe Biden praised the Secret Service and law enforcement for protecting Trump and condemned political violence.

“As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or violence of any kind in our country, and I have directed my team to continue to ensure that the Secret Service has all the necessary resources, capabilities, and protections to ensure the former President's continued safety,” President Biden said in a statement to X.

Vice President Kamala Harris also commented.

“I am deeply disturbed by the possible assassination attempt on former President Trump today. As we gather the facts, I will be clear: I condemn political violence. We must all do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to further violence,” Harris said in a statement posted on social media.

“I am grateful that former President Trump is safe. I commend the U.S. Secret Service and its law enforcement partners for their vigilance,” she said. “As President Biden has said, our administration will ensure that the Secret Service has all the resources, capabilities and protections it needs to carry out its important mission.”