Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, appeared in federal court on Monday after being charged in connection with attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump Sunday at his West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course.
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The defendant appeared calm and was seen smiling multiple times during the proceedings, according to Fox News. He was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Additional charges could be coming as the investigation into the incident continues.
Secret Service agents spotted Routh allegedly concealing himself in the shrubbery at Trump International Golf Club while carrying a rifle. The agents opened fire on the would-be gunman, who dropped his firearm and fled the scene. Sheriff’s deputies later apprehended him on a nearby highway.
Routh’s arraignment is scheduled for September 30. He remains in custody after being deemed a flight risk. He could be facing up to 15 years in prison for the first offense, along with a $250,000 fine.
The defendant’s background reveals an extensive history of supporting progressive causes and backing Democrats. He donated to Democratic candidates on numerous occasions. Photographs of his vehicle, which displayed a Biden-Harris sticker , circulated on social media and further revealed his political leanings. His son indicated that his father “hates Trump.”
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It was also revealed on Monday that Routh allegedly hid himself in his sniper position for about 12 hours before the Secret Service discovered him.
Would-be Donald Trump assassin and leftist tool Ryan Routh apparently arrived at his firing position nearly twelve hours before the Secret Service discovered him on Sunday. Cell phone data indicates that Ryan Wesley Routh arrived at the tree line fence near the Mar A Lago golf course at 1:59 a.m. Sunday. The former president’s security detail discovered him at 1:31 p.m.
The affidavit gives an inventory of what was found at the scene.
In the area of the tree line from which ROUTH fled, agents found a digital camera, two (2) bags, including a backpack, a loaded SKS-style, 7.62×39 caliber rifle with a scope, and a black plastic bag containing food. The serial number on the SKS-style rifle was obliterated and unreadable to the naked eye.
This development comes about two months after Thomas Matthew Crooks shot the former president during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in the first assassination attempt. He was shot to death by Secret Service snipers shortly after opening fire, killing one of the rallygoers.
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The second assassination attempt on Trump has reignited debates over the role incendiary political rhetoric plays in these incidents. The former president recently blasted Democrats during an interview, accusing political figures like President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of creating a hostile environment and stoking tensions.
“Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at, when I am the one who is going to save the country, and they are the ones that are destroying the country — both from the inside and out,” Trump said.