Who is Ryan Routh, the Man Charged After an Apparent Trump Assassination Attempt At Golf Course

On Sunday, Secret Service agents thwarted an apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a golf course near his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

Attempted Attack Thwarted Near Trump’s Florida Golf Course

The suspect, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, was arrested after being found with an AK-47-style rifle near the course. Routh, a former Trump supporter who later became radically disillusioned, was arrested without incident after fleeing the scene.

The incident occurred around 2 p.m. when a Secret Service agent spotted a rifle with a scope hidden in the bushes outside the golf course. Authorities confirmed that Routh had been near the area for about 12 hours, armed and equipped with food, but he did not have a clear line of sight on Trump at the time. Although Secret Service agents fired at Routh, he did not return fire and managed to flee the scene in a black Nissan before being apprehended on Interstate 95 by a Martin County sheriff’s traffic unit.

Disillusionment with Trump and Political Shifts

Routh’s journey from a Trump supporter to an outspoken critic reveals a dramatic shift in his political views. In 2020, he publicly expressed his support for Trump’s candidacy but quickly grew disappointed in his presidency. In a tweet from June 2020, Routh lamented, “While you were my choice in 2016…we all were greatly disappointed and it seems you are getting worse and devolving.” This marked a turning point in his political outlook as he began to distance himself from Trump.

Routh shifted his support toward Democrat Tulsi Gabbard during her 2020 presidential campaign, only to later criticize her for what he saw as her alignment with Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. By 2022, Routh tweeted his frustration, telling Gabbard to “go and join Putin and Trump and be their third wheel.” Ultimately, Routh threw his support behind Bernie Sanders for the 2020 election, voicing disdain for Joe Biden, whom he referred to as “sleepy Joe.”

Despite his political disillusionment, there was no evidence to suggest Routh supported Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris. His radicalization appears to have been rooted in a deep dissatisfaction with political leaders from both sides of the aisle.

Criminal Background and Recent Activity

Routh’s past is riddled with criminal charges, with over 100 counts filed against him in North Carolina, including a 2002 conviction for possessing a machine gun, categorized as a weapon of mass destruction. In that incident, Routh led authorities on a vehicle chase before barricading himself in a Greensboro roofing company. His extensive criminal record points to a long history of confrontations with law enforcement.

Routh had also spent time in Ukraine, where he claimed to have volunteered to fight for the International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine. However, he was turned down due to his age and lack of combat experience. Instead, he said he helped with military recruitment efforts in Kyiv, though authorities dispute his involvement with the Ukrainian military.

Routh had more recently run a company called Camp Box Honolulu, which specialized in building storage units and tiny homes. He was once quoted in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, speaking about his work to assist the homeless community by providing small shelters.

What’s Next for Routh?

Routh has been charged with two federal crimes: possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. He remains in custody as authorities continue investigating his motivations and actions leading up to the apparent assassination attempt. As the case unfolds, more details may emerge about his radicalization and criminal history, offering a deeper understanding of how this foiled plot came to be.