The U.S. Department of Justice has announced new charges against Ryan Routh, the man accused of plotting to assassinate Donald Trump at his Florida golf course. On Tuesday, a grand jury issued a new indictment against the 58-year-old, which includes three additional counts, notably the attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate. Routh was arrested on September 15 after Secret Service agents spotted him with a firearm near the course where Trump was playing.
Previously, Routh faced two gun-related charges stemming from the same incident. The recent indictment, filed in Miami, adds significant weight to the case against him. Court documents reveal that the case has been assigned to Federal Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee who is notably recognized for halting criminal proceedings against Trump concerning his retention of classified documents at his residence.
The new charges against Routh encompass attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and assaulting a federal officer, specifically a Secret Service agent. According to the indictment, a Secret Service agent first spotted Routh’s gun poking out from the bushes while assessing security during Trump’s golf game. When confronted, Routh fled the scene, but law enforcement apprehended him shortly thereafter.
A federal judge ruled on Monday that Routh would remain in custody pending trial. Prosecutors revealed that an FBI analysis of Routh’s phone indicated he had been in Florida since August 18. His devices showed multiple locations near Trump’s golf course and Mar-a-Lago residence from that date until his arrest, with prosecution claims stating he had spent nearly 12 hours in the vicinity of the golf club prior to being detected by Secret Service.
This incident marks the second assassination attempt on Trump within a few months. The first occurred on July 13 at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman opened fire, tragically killing one person and injuring Trump in the ear. Trump was otherwise unharmed, and the assailant was shot and killed at the scene. There is currently no indication that the two incidents are connected.
In response to the new developments, Trump has publicly criticized the Department of Justice and the FBI, claiming they mishandled the situation at the golf course. He described the charges against Routh as “a slap on the wrist” in a statement that included a series of unfounded conspiracy theories regarding his ongoing legal troubles. Trump called for the case against Routh to be transferred to Florida state authorities, which are led by hard-right Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.
DeSantis has indicated that the state intends to conduct its own investigation and pursue tougher charges against Routh. This move aligns with the governor’s broader approach to crime and public safety, emphasizing a robust legal response to threats against public figures.
As the case unfolds, it is expected to attract significant media attention, given the high-profile nature of both the accused and the victim. The charges against Routh could lead to a lengthy legal battle, with implications for broader discussions about security measures for public officials and the legal ramifications of threatening violence against them.
With Trump’s candidacy and the political landscape remaining contentious, the Routh case will likely become a focal point in the discourse surrounding political violence, security protocols for candidates, and the legal frameworks addressing such threats. The outcome of the indictment and subsequent trial will be closely monitored by both supporters and opponents of Trump, further intensifying the already charged political atmosphere in the United States.
