A man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty in a federal court in Florida.
The accused, Ryan Wesley Routh, allegedly stalked Trump for a month and set up a so-called ‘sniper’s nest’ near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach.
Charges and Court Appearance
Ryan Wesley Routh faces five charges including the attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, various gun charges, and assaulting an officer. He pleaded not guilty to each charge during a brief federal court hearing.
Dressed in tan prison scrubs, Routh appeared in court and wore glasses intermittently. He listened as the judge outlined the charges against him and confirmed his understanding.
The Alleged Assassination Attempt
Prosecutors allege that Routh was armed with a Soviet-designed rifle and positioned himself near the 6th hole of Trump’s golf course, ready to shoot the former president while he played golf.
A Secret Service agent, conducting routine surveillance, noticed the barrel of a rifle move and opened fire. The agent then sought cover to reload.
Routh fled the scene by car but was apprehended less than an hour later by local police on a nearby highway.
Prosecutors’ Evidence and Alleged Motive
Unlike a previous case where an assailant shot Trump during a rally, investigators have gathered extensive information on Routh.
One crucial piece of evidence is a letter Routh allegedly left with a witness. In this letter, he admitted to the assassination attempt and offered $150,000 for anyone to finish the job.
Routh criticized Trump’s termination of relations with Iran and the ensuing Middle East unrest. In a self-published book, he encouraged Iran to assassinate Trump, citing the dismantling of the Iran nuclear deal.
Past Arrests and International Travel
Prosecutors highlighted Routh’s lengthy criminal history, including over 100 arrests, many related to traffic violations. His travels to volatile regions like Ukraine and Taiwan were also noted as evidence of his ability to cross borders easily.
These factors were presented to argue for his detention until the case concludes. Ultimately, the court agreed, and Routh remains in custody.
Case Assignment and Judicial Background
Routh’s case has been assigned to Judge Aileen Cannon. Earlier this year, Judge Cannon dismissed criminal classified document mishandling charges against Trump, citing the improper assignment of special counsel Jack Smith to the investigation.
The random assignment of Routh’s case to Judge Cannon will likely draw attention due to her prior rulings involving Trump-related cases.
The Alleged Surveillance and Arrest Sequence
The incident began when Routh was allegedly spotted with the rifle by a Secret Service agent. The agent, conducting a surveillance sweep ahead of Trump’s arrival, saw movement and fired at Routh.
After missing, the agent ducked behind a tree to reload his weapon. Routh then fled in a vehicle but was arrested shortly thereafter on a nearby highway.
Courtroom Dynamics and Next Steps
Routh said he understood the charges against him during the court appearance. The prosecution argues that his extensive criminal history and international travel demonstrate a high risk of flight.
The court’s decision to detain Routh until the case’s resolution ensures that the prosecution’s concerns are taken into account. The next steps in this high-profile case will be closely monitored.
As Ryan Wesley Routh pleads not guilty to the charges against him, the case continues to unfold in federal court.
The detailed evidence and international aspects make this a significant and closely watched case, particularly given Judge Aileen Cannon’s involvement.
