Ryan Wesley Routh

File:Ryan Wesley Routh After Being Arrested.jpg

Ryan Wesley Routh was born on February 18, 1966,{{cite web |last1=Gurman |first1=Sadie |title=Trump Safe After Another Apparent Assassination Attempt |url=https://www.wsj.com/us-news/authorities-say-trump-is-safe-after-gun-shots-nearby-654b6fab |website=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=September 18, 2024}} in Guilford County, North Carolina.{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/15/us/politics/trump-shooting-suspect-routh.html |newspaper= The New York Times |title= Suspected Gunman Said He Was Willing to Fight and Die in Ukraine |author1= Adam Goldman |author2= Thomas Gibbons-Neff |author3= Glenn Thrush |author4= Najim Rahim |date= September 15, 2024 |access-date= September 16, 2024 |archive-date= September 16, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240916044405/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/15/us/politics/trump-shooting-suspect-routh.html |url-status= live }} For most of his life, he was a resident of Greensboro, where he attended North Carolina A&T State University for two semesters in 1995.{{cite news |last1=Stratta |first1=Peter |title=Suspected Trump gunman has multiple ties to Guilford County |url=https://abc45.com/news/local/suspected-trump-gunman-has-multiple-ties-to-guilford-county-ryan-routh-president-shooting-truecrime-northcarolina-latest-details |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=WXLV |date=September 16, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916164851/https://abc45.com/news/local/suspected-trump-gunman-has-multiple-ties-to-guilford-county-ryan-routh-president-shooting-truecrime-northcarolina-latest-details |url-status=live }} He later ran a roofing business. In January 1989, Routh was married to Lora Wilson Routh{{cite news |last=Vogel |first=Mike |title=Accomplishing a Miracle Renovation Fulfills Dream for Couple |url=https://greensboro.com/accomplishing-a-miracle-renovation-fulfills-dream-for-couple/article_6f36ac7e-302e-5a45-8d42-e2ff512edcda.html |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=Greensboro News and Record |date=April 21, 1990 |language=en |archive-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915233634/https://greensboro.com/accomplishing-a-miracle-renovation-fulfills-dream-for-couple/article_6f36ac7e-302e-5a45-8d42-e2ff512edcda.html |url-status=live }} and had at least two sons and a daughter.{{cite web |last1=Durkin Richer |first1=Alanna |date=September 24, 2024 |title=FBI: Son of suspect in Trump assassination attempt arrested on child sexual abuse images charges |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2024-09-24/fbi-son-of-suspect-in-trump-assassination-attempt-arrested-on-child-sexual-abuse-images-charges |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925103446/https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2024-09-24/fbi-son-of-suspect-in-trump-assassination-attempt-arrested-on-child-sexual-abuse-images-charges |archive-date=September 25, 2024 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |website=Los Angeles Times}}{{cite news |last1=Schlosser |first1=Jim |title=Skateboard park closed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-skateboard-park-closed/155401820/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=News and Record |date=July 16, 2004 |pages=5 |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916164852/https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-record-skateboard-park-closed/155401820/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://journalnow.com/ryan-wesley-routh-sold-greensboro-nc-home/article_00e11059-b602-512a-a755-6146823f5daf.html|title=Ryan Routh's home in Greensboro was crumbling long before Secret Service descended on it|last1=Spear|first1=Susie|date=September 16, 2024|website=Winston-Salem Journal}} Routh divorced Lora on January 22, 2003.

On April 2, 1991, Routh fought and chased a suspected rapist, who was also wanted for a string of burglaries, assaults, and robberies in both Greensboro and out-of-state in New York, around an office building. Terrance Bryant (born October 28, 1962), then 28 of Greensboro, was taken into custody later that evening and was sentenced the following year to life in prison in May 1992.{{cite news |title=Man gets 106 years for preying on elderly|url=https://greensboro.com/man-gets-106-years-for-preying-on-elderly/article_5e9fee47-c957-59d0-a3e4-31c076d87202.html|work=News and Record |date=May 2, 1992|access-date=September 18, 2024}} For confronting the suspect, Routh was honored as a "super citizen" and awarded a "Law Enforcement Oscar" a few months after the chase by the Greensboro chapter of the International Union of Police Associations.{{cite news |last1=Woodall |first1=Bernie |title=Police Organization Honors 'Super Citizen' |url=https://greensboro.com/article_d76ccec9-b1cf-5618-aa7c-46a0a25d1d01.html |work=News and Record |date=August 26, 1991 |access-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918140627/https://greensboro.com/article_d76ccec9-b1cf-5618-aa7c-46a0a25d1d01.html |url-status=live }}

On December 15–16, 2002, Routh was convicted of possessing a firearm; resisting, delaying and obstructing a law enforcement officer and driving with license revoked after a three-hour stand-off with police. He was pulled over while driving, and during the traffic stop he put his hand on a gun and then drove to a nearby roofing business, where he barricaded himself inside.{{Cite web |date=September 16, 2024 |title=5 things to know about the apparent assassination attempt on Trump at one of his golf courses |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-what-to-know-564c56e167c3cdc6c50f6a2e91db9a6c |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916164128/https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-what-to-know-564c56e167c3cdc6c50f6a2e91db9a6c |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Henderson |first1=Barney |last2=Lewis |first2=Kaitlin |date=September 15, 2024 |title=Ryan Wesley Routh, would-be Trump assassin, fought in Ukraine, supports war |url=https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-suspect-shooting-assassination-attempt-west-palm-beach-1954191 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=Newsweek |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916002529/https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-suspect-shooting-assassination-attempt-west-palm-beach-1954191 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2002 |title=Man with gun barricades self inside business |url=https://greensboro.com/article_3006b4f9-9370-5b08-a54e-46c87faf6cbe.html |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=Greensboro News and Record |language=en |archive-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915233845/https://greensboro.com/article_3006b4f9-9370-5b08-a54e-46c87faf6cbe.html |url-status=live }} In 2003, he was sentenced for driving without a license, carrying a concealed weapon and hit-and-run. On February 10, 2010, he was convicted of possessing stolen goods. For each of these charges he was given probation.{{Cite news |last1=Mikkelsen |first1=Emily |last2=Skipper |first2=Elijah |last3=Melrose |first3=Justyn |date=September 15, 2024 |title=Greensboro neighbor describes man accused of attempting Trump assassination, says 'a lot of people were afraid of him' |url=https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/greensboro/trump-shooting-attempt-suspect-had-lengthy-criminal-history-in-north-carolina-records-show/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 15, 2024 |work=Fox 8 |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917012254/https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/greensboro/trump-shooting-attempt-suspect-had-lengthy-criminal-history-in-north-carolina-records-show/ }}

Prior to his alleged attempt to assassinate Trump, Routh had over a hundred criminal charges filed against him throughout his life , and was arrested at least eight times.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ryan-routh-custody-trump-golf-club-incident-rcna171225|title=Man in custody after Trump golf club incident was once convicted of possessing a machine gun|first=Dennis|last=Romero|date=September 15, 2024|website=Newsweek|access-date=November 12, 2024|archive-date=November 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113020247/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ryan-routh-custody-trump-golf-club-incident-rcna171225|url-status=live}}

In 2018, he moved to Kaʻaʻawa, Hawaii. There he started a shed-building business with his son, Adam Routh. He and his son, Oran Alexander Routh, had a falling out and had not talked prior to the assassination attempt, although following the attempt he said that Routh was "a loving and caring father, and honest, hardworking man" and that "it doesn't sound like the man I know to do anything crazy, much less violent."{{Cite web |last=Page |first=Myriam |date=September 16, 2024 |title='Not the man I know': Ryan Routh 'isn't violent' but does hate Trump, reveals son |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/ryan-wesley-routh-son-trump-hate-b2613510.html |access-date=September 26, 2024 |work=The Independent}}

Kim Mungo, a local neighbor who knew Routh for 18 years before he moved to Hawaii, claimed in an interview that she saw him and his family as "weird", and claimed that the number of guns he owned made the neighborhood feel uncomfortable around him. Mungo stated that she drove Routh's daughter, Sara, to school occasionally. She said Routh's family never expressed any strong political views.{{Cite web |last=Conklin |first=Audrey |date=September 17, 2024 |title=Neighbor of accused Trump gunman Ryan Wesley Routh says family was 'weird,' kept 'live horse' and guns in their house |url=https://nypost.com/2024/09/17/us-news/neighbor-of-accused-trump-gunman-ryan-routh-says-family-was-weird/ |access-date=|work=The Independent}}

Routh claimed on his social media accounts, as well as in 2022 interviews with The New York Times, Newsweek Romania, and Der Tagesspiegel to have made efforts to recruit foreign soldiers for Ukraine in its war against Russia.{{Cite web |date=June 14, 2022 |title=EXCLUSIV Recrutor pentru Legiunea Internațională: Vă încurajez să veniți și să luptați în Ucraina {{!}} Newsweek Romania |url=https://newsweek.ro/international/exclusiv-recrutor-pentru-legiunea-internationala-va-incurajez-sa-veniti-si-sa-luptati-in-ucraina |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=newsweek.ro |language=en |archive-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915221037/https://newsweek.ro/international/exclusiv-recrutor-pentru-legiunea-internationala-va-incurajez-sa-veniti-si-sa-luptati-in-ucraina |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Leber |first1=Sebastian |title="Ich drücke den Abzug gern": Tagesspiegel-Reporter traf den Mann, der Trump erschießen wollte |url=https://www.tagesspiegel.de/gesellschaft/ich-drucke-den-abzug-gern-tagesspiegel-reporter-traf-den-mann-der-trump-erschiessen-wollte-12377342.html |access-date=September 17, 2024 |work=Der Tagesspiegel |date=September 16, 2024 |language=German|trans-title="I would love to pull the trigger" - Tagesspiegel reporter met the man who wanted to shoot Trump}} Newsweek reported Routh had claimed to have fought in Ukraine, while he told The New York Times he did not fight in Ukraine.{{Cite web |last1=Gibbons-Neff |first1=Thomas |date=September 15, 2024 |title=New York Times Reporter Revisits Earlier Interview With Suspect at Trump Golf Course |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/15/us/politics/trump-routh-ukraine-interview.html |access-date=September 18, 2024 |website=The New York Times |language=en |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917223843/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/15/us/politics/trump-routh-ukraine-interview.html |url-status=live }} Routh said in a 2022 interview with a Romanian reporter in Kyiv that he flew to Ukraine to join the army in the months after Russia's full-scale invasion, but learned that he was "not an ideal candidate" for the battlefield because he was in his mid-50s with no military experience. Later in 2022, Routh said in an interview that after he was rejected for military service, he began recruiting volunteer soldiers for the Ukrainian military.{{Cite web |last1=Pinho |first1=Faith E. |last2=Nelson |first2=Laura J. |last3=Winton |first3=Richard |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Trump assassination attempt suspect said he had hoped to fight in Ukraine |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2024-09-15/trump-golf-club-gun-suspect-ryan-routh-social-media-posts-ukraine |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916034946/https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2024-09-15/trump-golf-club-gun-suspect-ryan-routh-social-media-posts-ukraine |url-status=live }} Routh complained of roadblocks to Ukraine admitting foreign fighters, telling the publication Semafor that "Ukraine is very often hard to work with, they're afraid that anybody and everybody is a Russian spy".{{Cite web |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Man in custody after Trump golf club incident was once convicted of possessing a machine gun |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ryan-routh-custody-trump-golf-club-incident-rcna171225 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916010405/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ryan-routh-custody-trump-golf-club-incident-rcna171225 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=March 9, 2023 |title=Elite US-trained Afghan soldiers want to fight for Ukraine |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-p7bW9AWLk |access-date=November 6, 2024 |website=YouTube |language=en |archive-date=November 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241106043506/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-p7bW9AWLk |url-status=live }} Routh was filmed at an April 2022 protest in Independence Square in Kyiv.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/ryan-routh-donald-trump-assassination-attempt-blackrock-ad-1954344|title=Fact Check: Was Trump assassination suspect Ryan Routh in BlackRock ad?|first=Tom|last=Norton|date=September 16, 2024|website=Newsweek|access-date=September 17, 2024|archive-date=September 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917030944/https://www.newsweek.com/ryan-routh-donald-trump-assassination-attempt-blackrock-ad-1954344|url-status=live}}

A former volunteer for Ukraine's International Legion, Evelyn Aschenbrenner, branded Routh as "delusional" and a "liar" over his claims that he recruited for the Ukrainian organization, saying Routh was "not, and never has been, associated with the International Legion or the Ukrainian Armed Forces at all". Aschenbrenner said of Routh "He was combative. He was argumentative. He refused repeatedly to understand basic army policy", further adding "There was delusions of grandeur and [he was] very disconnected from reality". The International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine said in a statement that Routh had "never been part of, associated with, or linked" to it "in any capacity."{{Cite web |last=van Brugen |first=Isabel |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Exclusive: Ryan Wesley Routh "delusional and a liar'—Ukraine volunteer |url=https://www.newsweek.com/ryan-wesley-routh-trump-assassination-ukraine-recruiter-1954348 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=Newsweek |language=en |archive-date=September 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925103446/https://www.newsweek.com/ryan-wesley-routh-trump-assassination-ukraine-recruiter-1954348 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Ryan Routh: What we know about Trump assassination attempt suspect |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3611zjjnd2o |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917002025/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3611zjjnd2o |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Hjelmgaard |first=Dan Morrison, Rick Jervis and Kim |title=Alleged Trump gunman had 'delusions of grandeur' in Ukraine, former recruiter says |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2024/09/16/ryan-routh-trump-guman-ukraine/75250770007/ |access-date=September 17, 2024 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917012830/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2024/09/16/ryan-routh-trump-guman-ukraine/75250770007/ |url-status=live }}

Chelsea Walsh, a travel nurse who had met Routh in Ukraine, viewed Routh as "a threat to others" and a "ticking time bomb", and warned a Homeland Security agent upon her return from Ukraine. She claimed that Routh decided to dedicate his life to protecting Ukraine upon first hearing about the war in 2022, and that he would become "vengeful" and "angry" if he did not get his way. Sometime in 2023, Walsh ultimately reported Routh to the FBI for his behavior.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/video/who-is-ryan-routh-what-we-know-about-the-suspected-trump-gunman/022FDB7D-C673-4FDC-8E7A-AF3592B6BE67?mod=e2fb |title=Who Is Ryan Routh? What We Know About the Suspected Trump Gunman |date=September 18, 2024 }} Routh had also claimed to her to have organized a protest outside President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's home and was jailed for it, although this was not confirmed.{{cite web |url=https://www.wptv.com/wptv-investigates/nurse-who-knew-attempted-assassination-suspect-reported-his-volatile-behavior-in-2022 |title=Nurse who knew attempted assassination suspect reported his 'volatile' behavior in 2022 |date=September 17, 2024 |access-date=October 10, 2024 |archive-date=October 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003162131/https://www.wptv.com//wptv-investigates/nurse-who-knew-attempted-assassination-suspect-reported-his-volatile-behavior-in-2022 |url-status=live }} Walsh repeated her concerns to both the FBI and Interpol.{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-routh-assassination-attempt-ukraine-suspicions-florida-530098c668f283d8a38eb5dd5570f1b2 |title='Ticking time bomb': Those who raised suspicions about Trump suspect question if enough was done |website=Associated Press News |date=September 21, 2024 |access-date=October 10, 2024 |archive-date=October 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009033002/https://apnews.com/article/trump-routh-assassination-attempt-ukraine-suspicions-florida-530098c668f283d8a38eb5dd5570f1b2 |url-status=live }}

On September 12, merely three days before the assassination attempt, Routh exchanged messages with British-trained commandos from Afghanistan about recruitment to the Russo-Ukrainian War over the instant messaging app WhatsApp. Routh's WhatsApp account consisted of several discussions with special forces from Afghanistan about how to get to Ukraine to fight in the war. All of the chat logs on Routh's WhatsApp account were investigated by The Independent and investigative newsroom Lighthouse Reports in November 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/donald-trump-assassin-ukraine-afghan-commandos-b2652462.html |title=Revealed: How Donald Trump's alleged assassin tapped up UK-trained Afghan commandos to fight in Ukraine |website=The Independent |date=November 23, 2024 |access-date=November 23, 2024 }}

{{Main|Attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Florida}}

File:Body-Cam Footage of the Detainment of Ryan Wesley Routh.webm

{{Donald Trump series}}

At 1:59 a.m on September 15, 2024, Routh allegedly took a position at Trump's golf course. He was later spotted by an agent at 1:31 p.m.{{cite news |title=Donald Trump assassination attempt live: Suspect in Trump assassination attempt lay in wait for 12 hours |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2024/09/16/donald-trump-shooting-ukraine-activist-latest-updates/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=The Telegraph |date=September 16, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916090756/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2024/09/16/donald-trump-shooting-ukraine-activist-latest-updates/ |url-status=live }} The agent fired at Routh, who dropped his weapon and fled in a nearby vehicle.{{cite web |first1=Alanna Durkin |last1=Richer |first2=Colleen |last2=Long |first3=Eric |last3=Tucker |first4=Zeke |last4=Miller |first5=Stephany |last5=Matat |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Trump was the subject of an apparent assassination attempt at his Florida golf club, the FBI says |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-gunshots-florida-f62f8378d3a8ce7b2e99d6a8fb40aba9 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=Associated Press |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916133839/https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-gunshots-florida-f62f8378d3a8ce7b2e99d6a8fb40aba9 |url-status=live }} After the shot was fired, Trump was escorted off the course by his Secret Service protective detail.{{Cite web |first=Jeremy |last=Herb |date=September 17, 2024 |title=Inside the fateful 12 hours of an apparent assassination attempt outside the Trump International Golf Club |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/17/politics/inside-apparent-assassination-attempt-trump/index.html |website=CNN |language=en |access-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918010353/https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/17/politics/inside-apparent-assassination-attempt-trump/index.html |url-status=live }} At 2:22 p.m, Routh was arrested on Interstate 95 in Martin County as the potential suspect and later charged with two offenses: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with the serial number removed.{{Cite web |last1=Picheta|first1=Rob|last2=Yeung|first2=Rob|last3=Rebane|first3=Teele|last4=Harvey|first4=Lex|date=September 16, 2024 |title=What we know about Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspect in the apparent second Trump assassination attempt |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/16/us/ryan-routh-trump-what-we-know-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=CNN |language=en}} On the day of his arraignment, he was seen smiling and laughing with his lawyer.{{cite news |last=Coen |first=Susie |title=Suspect in Trump assassination attempt laughs in court |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2024/09/16/ryan-routh-suspect-in-assassination-attempt-on-trump-laughs/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=The Telegraph |date=September 16, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=September 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925103446/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2024/09/16/ryan-routh-suspect-in-assassination-attempt-on-trump-laughs/ |url-status=live }} Footage of his arrest was also released to the public.{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Stephen |title=Bodycam video shows arrest of suspect in apparent Trump attempted assassination |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-assassination-attempt-bodycam-suspect-ryan-routh-arrested/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=CBS News |date=September 16, 2024 |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916185714/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-assassination-attempt-bodycam-suspect-ryan-routh-arrested/ |url-status=live }} Routh was charged on September 24 with attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, as well as "assaulting a federal officer" and "possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence."{{Cite web |last1=Schonfeld|first1=Zach |date=September 24, 2024 |title=Trump suspect charged with attempted assassination, case lands in Cannon's court |url=https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4897556-trump-suspect-attempted-assassination/ |access-date=September 24, 2024 |website=The Hill|language=en}} On December 18, Routh was additionally charged with "attempted felony murder" after it was discovered that Routh caused traffic closure while fleeing the scene, which resulted in a traffic crash that injured a 6-year-old girl who was traveling with her family.{{Cite web |last1=Sorace |first1=Stephen |date=December 19, 2024 |title=New charge against Ryan Routh, suspect in attempted Trump assassination |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/new-charge-against-ryan-routh-suspect-in-attempted-trump-assassination |access-date=December 19, 2024 |website=Fox News|language=en}}

As part of investigations following the assassination attempt, authorities searched the Greensboro home of Ryan Routh's son, 35-year-old Oran Alexander Routh (born May 1989), who had previously defended his father in an interview. They reportedly discovered hundreds of child pornography files on Oran Routh's electronic devices, and charged him with two counts of possessing and receiving child sexual abuse material. The case was assigned to Judge William Osteen.{{Cite web |first=Louis |last=Casiano |date=February 12, 2025 |title=Son of accused attempted Trump assassin has outburst in court after pleading guilty to serious charges |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/son-of-accused-attempted-trump-assassin-has-outburst-in-court-after-pleading-guilty-to-serious-charges/ar-AA1yVBt1 |website=MSN |language=en |access-date=February 17, 2025}} He initially pled not guilty and was later released to his mother's custody. His trial was scheduled to take place in December 2024,{{cite web|url=https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/greensboro/son-of-man-accused-in-trump-assassination-attempt-pleads-not-guilty-to-federal-child-porn-charges/|title=Son of man accused in Trump assassination attempt pleads not guilty to federal child porn charges|date=October 2, 2024|accessdate=October 15, 2024|first1=Emily|last1=Mikkelsen|work=WGHP|archive-date=October 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003024233/https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/greensboro/son-of-man-accused-in-trump-assassination-attempt-pleads-not-guilty-to-federal-child-porn-charges/|url-status=live}} but was delayed till February 12, 2025. Additional charges were later filed against him: another count of receiving child pornography, transporting child pornography, and possessing child pornography involving a minor who had not yet reached 12 years of age.{{cite web|url=https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/greensboro/son-of-man-charged-in-trump-assassination-attempt-indicted-on-more-federal-child-pornography-charges-court-documents-show/ |title=Son of Greensboro man charged in Trump assassination attempt indicted on more federal child pornography charges, court documents show }} Upon being questioned by the court, Oran reportedly gave long-winded answers that didn’t directly address the questions given to him. He pled guilty to one count of possessing child pornography involving a minor who had not yet reached 12 years of age. As part of Oran’s guilty plea, the rest of the charges were dismissed. Upon this, Oran had an outburst in the court, claiming his arrest on the charges were motivated by "political persecution". The sentencing hearing for Oran is scheduled for May 14 at 10:30 a.m.{{Cite web |first=Jeremy |last=Vernon |date=February 12, 2025 |title=Oran Routh pleads guilty in child pornography case |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/son-of-accused-attempted-trump-assassin-has-outburst-in-court-after-pleading-guilty-to-serious-charges/ar-AA1yVBt1 |website=MSN |language=en |access-date=February 17, 2025}}

On September 23, the Department of Justice publicized a note written by Routh several months prior to his arrest in which he described an "assassination attempt" and offered a bounty for the killing of Donald Trump. In the letter, Routh reportedly stated, "This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you," and went on to offer "$150,000 to whomever can complete the job."{{Cite news |last=Goudsward |first=Andrew |date=September 23, 2024 |title=Alleged Trump gunman wrote of 'assassination attempt,' prosecutors say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-attempted-assassination-suspect-ryan-routh-appear-court-2024-09-23/ |work=Reuters}} Authorities believe that this letter may have been an indication of Routh's foreshadowing of his later actions as well as his acknowledgment of failure in carrying out the alleged plot.{{Cite news |last=Thrush |first=Glenn |date=September 23, 2024 |title=Suspect in Trump Assassination Attempt Outlined Plans in Note |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/23/us/politics/trump-assassination-attempt-routh-hearing.html |work=New York Times |access-date=September 23, 2024 |archive-date=September 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923140204/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/23/us/politics/trump-assassination-attempt-routh-hearing.html |url-status=live }}

On the same day, FBI agents found documents that contained a handwritten list of venues where Trump had appeared or was expected to be present, dated in August through October. They also found out that two of the cell phones found in the Nissan Xterra that Routh drove the day of the assassination attempt showed that on multiple days and times from August 18 to September 15, Routh stalked Trump near his golf course and his Mar-a-Lago residence.{{cite news |date=September 24, 2024 |title=Ryan Wesley Routh Indicted for Attempted Assassination of Former President Trump |access-date=December 13, 2024 |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ryan-wesley-routh-indicted-attempted-assassination-former-president-trump |work=Department of Justice }}

Routh pled not guilty on September 30.{{cite news |date=September 30, 2024 |title=Man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump pleads not guilty to federal charges |first1=Stephany |last1=Matat |first2=Alanna Durkin |last2=Richter |access-date=September 30, 2024 |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-attempted-assassination-ryan-routh-arraignment-d96d9bb2cdbcdbebfcac6e4b51a230c6 |work=Associated Press |archive-date=September 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930162727/https://apnews.com/article/trump-attempted-assassination-ryan-routh-arraignment-d96d9bb2cdbcdbebfcac6e4b51a230c6 |url-status=live }} A preliminary trial date was set by Judge Aileen Cannon on November 18.{{Cite web |date=October 1, 2024 |title=November trial set for suspect in Trump assassination attempt |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/november-trial-set-suspect-trump-assassination-attempt-2024-10-01/ |access-date=October 3, 2024 |website=Reuters}}

On October 17, Routh's lawyers asked Cannon to recuse herself to avoid the appearance of bias in favor of Trump, due to Cannon dismissing the federal prosecution of Trump regarding his possession of classified documents two months prior.{{Cite web |last=Vlachou |first=Marita |date=October 18, 2024 |title=Man Who Attempted To Assassinate Trump In Florida Wants Judge Aileen Cannon Off His Case |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ryan-routh-motion-for-cannon-removal_n_6712552fe4b08d7bcf690103 |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=HuffPost |language=en}} However, Cannon refused to step down.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=October 29, 2024 |title=Judge won't step down from Trump assassination attempt case. Here's why |url=https://www.wflx.com/2024/10/29/judge-wont-step-down-trump-assassination-attempt-case-heres-why/ |access-date=November 1, 2024 |website=WFLX |language=en}} As a result, Routh's trial date was moved to February 10, 2025.

On November 4, one day before the 2024 United States presidential election, Routh sent a letter to a local newsroom stating that if Trump wins the election, it will mark "the end of Democracy and the beginning of a Civil War" and that Trump "will not let go of the power given to him." He also begged the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office to "help lead the country the way to Democracy." Prosecutors noted that Routh's handwriting of the letter matched the same handwriting as the alleged note written months prior discussing his failure to assassinate Trump, which confirmed Routh wrote the note. Upon hearing that Trump won the presidential election, he urged the country "to remove the power of our military by the President and place it with Congress before January," and would proceed to call Trump a "dictator."{{Cite news |last=Lubin |first=Rhian |date=November 26, 2024 |title=Second alleged Trump assassin writes jailhouse letter and name checks first gunman |url=https://www.aol.com/second-alleged-trump-assassin-writes-172354186.html |access-date=November 26, 2024 |newspaper=The Independent |via=AOL |language=en}}

On November 26, Routh addressed a note to the newsroom Politico. In the note, he would criticize both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party, claiming that they conspire against independent candidates. Routh would also compare himself to Thomas Matthew Crooks, the perpetrator of Trump's previous assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, claiming they were both “ready to die for freedom and democracy." At multiple points, he contemplated the prospect of another civil war. Prior to sending the note, Routh told a prison guard who believed Routh was a Democrat that the Independent politicians are the better candidates. He did not explicitly confess to attempting to assassinate Trump, referring to himself as the "Trump Alleged Shooter".{{Cite web |last=Khardori |first=Ankush |date=November 26, 2024 |title=One of Trump's Alleged Attempted Assassins Sent Me a Letter |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/11/26/ryan-routh-trump-alleged-assassin-letter-column-00190211 |access-date=November 26, 2024 |website=Politico |language=en}}

After appearing in federal court for a hearing on December 11, Routh's legal team announced they were considering giving Routh an insanity defense. Public defenders claimed Routh had met with mental health experts and jail mental health professionals at least twice, who all called him "delusional." Prosecutors also confirmed that Routh had written up to 40 letters to national news outlets to try to convince them he was innocent. The letters were intercepted before being received. Routh’s attorneys requested for the trial to be delayed until December 2025.{{Cite web |last1=Gibson |first1=Jake |last2=Sorace |first2=Stephen |date=December 11, 2024 |title=Trump assassination attempt suspect Routh's legal team considers insanity defense |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/trump-assassination-attempt-suspect-ryan-routh-face-court-hearing-after-moving-delay-trial |access-date=December 12, 2024 |website=Fox News |language=en }} Cannon granted the request in part, setting a new trial date of September 8, 2025.{{Cite web |date=December 24, 2024 |title=New trial date set for suspect in Trump assassination attempt |url=https://www.wflx.com/2024/12/24/new-trial-date-set-suspect-trump-assassination-attempt/ |access-date=December 24, 2024 |website=WPTV |language=en }}

On December 13, 2024, Routh wrote a two-page letter offering to be a hostage in the Gaza war, stating that he was "willing to surrender in Gaza to restart the peace conversation." Routh would also compare himself to the character George Bailey from the 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life, stating that he and Bailey were both "hoping for any support and value in honor, dignity, altruism, and sacrifice left in the world." Routh also expressed positive feelings toward pro-Palestinian university students. Routh would also criticize Trump in the letter, stating he had "no moral compass." The letter was confirmed to be written by Routh through his name, prison ID number and return address at the prison. Routh's daughter, Sara, wrote her signature in the letter.{{cite web |last1=Levine |first1=Jon |title=Alleged would-be Trump 'assassin' Ryan Routh offers to become Hamas hostage in bizzare letter |url=https://www.aol.com/alleged-trump-assassin-ryan-routh-131826996.html |website=Aol |date=January 28, 2025|access-date=January 28, 2025}}

On February 20, 2025, Routh's defense team inspected the Trump golf course during a visit arranged by the US Justice Department. After this visit they inspected evidence from the case such as the rifle, which the Justice Department had transported to an FBI field office in Florida.{{cite news |last1=MacFarlane |first1=Scott |title=Defense lawyers in Trump assassination attempt case tour Trump golf course, examine rifle from FBI evidence |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/defense-lawyers-trump-assassination-attempt-golf-course-rifle/ |access-date=March 10, 2025 |agency=CBS News |date=March 9, 2025}}

Following a court filing on March 3, defense attorney Kristy Militello requested for the rifle to be tested. Upon being questioned by Judge Cannon, Militello responded with; "The rifle is old, and we want our expert to determine if it's operable, if it's accurate, and what kind of distance it can reach." Investigators did not conduct any testing of the rifle the day of the assassination attempt because no shots were fired at the scene. Judge Cannon then promised a ruling on testing the weapon.{{cite news |last1=Bohman |first1=Dave |title=Ryan Routh's attorneys want to test fire weapon allegedly intended to assassinate Donald Trump|url=https://www.wptv.com/news/trump/ryan-rouths-attorneys-want-to-test-fire-weapon-allegedly-intended-to-assassinate-donald-trump |access-date=March 12, 2025 |agency=WPTV |date=March 7, 2025}}

On April 7, 2025, Routh filed an amended motion to dismiss two of the charges against him, which was 'possession of a firearm by a felon' and 'possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number'. In the filing, Routh argued that the gun violations are unconstitutional and a violation of the Second Amendment, because the amendment does not regulate the ownership of guns by felons or serial numbers.{{Cite web |last1=Mikkelsen |first1=Emily |date=April 9, 2025 |title=Attempted Trump assassination suspect seeks dismissal of gun charges with Second Amendment argument |url=https://myfox8.com/shooting-trump-rally/attempted-trump-assassination-suspect-seeks-dismissal-of-gun-charges-with-second-amendment-argument/ |access-date=April 9, 2025 |website=Fox News |language=en}} The motion was rejected by the court two days later on April 9.{{Cite web |last1=Leverett |first1=Taylor |date=April 9, 2025 |title=Greensboro man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump, seeks dismissal of federal gun charges |url=https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/suspect-in-trumps-second-alleged-assassination-attempt-denied-request-to-dismiss-counts/83-9759c8ff-b4fb-4f35-8ea5-62a9ebdea95c |access-date=April 10, 2025 |website=WFMyNews |language=en}} On the same day, the eyewitness who saw Routh enter his car the day of the assassination attempt, who goes under the alias "T.C.M" in court, was interviewed by law enforcement. However, the eyewitness felt pressured because of the intense atmosphere created by the presence of multiple law enforcement agencies.{{cite news |last1=Gibson |first1=Jake |title=Trump assassination attempt suspect Ryan Routh sought rocket launcher from Ukraine: docs|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/trump-assassination-attempt-suspect-ryan-routh-sought-rocket-launcher-ukraine-docs |access-date=April 9, 2025 |agency=Fox News |date=April 9, 2025}}

On April 7, 2025, an indictment by federal prosecutors revealed that Routh planned the assassination attempt as early as February 2024. On February 29, Routh began an extensive conversation on WhatsApp with someone saved in his phone as "Ramiro", who lived in Mexico. Routh and "Ramiro" discussed potentially smuggling an Afghanistani migrant family into the United States from Mexico, and the potential need to bribe officials who questioned them. On March 28, Routh left North Carolina by car to an area in West Palm Beach, where he remained between March 29 and April 5 to conduct reconnaissance on Trump’s whereabouts before driving back to North Carolina. Prosecutors believe that Routh had dropped off the box containing the "Dear World" letter during this trip. Two weeks before the assassination attempt, Routh and "Ramiro" both discussed procuring scopes for sniper rifles. A few days before the assassination attempt, Routh told "Ramiro" he would run away to Mexico City in the days immediately after the attempt, with "Ramiro" responding that he would see Routh then and that he was located four hours outside of Mexico City. Routh replied that he would call "Ramiro" once he knew for sure whether he’d meet him, which is something Routh planned through extensive web searches about travel to Mexico.

The same indictment revealed that in August of 2024, Routh sought to obtain military weapons, including a rocket launcher, from someone believed to be a Ukrainian with access to military weapons, as part of his assassination plot. Routh told his associate through WhatsApp to send him a rocket-propelled grenade or a stinger, stating; "I need equipment so that Trump cannot get elected." Routh also sought to purchase a .50 caliber rifle the same month, and this rifle would have been an even more destructive and powerful version of the one he had already obtained. Routh hoped to purchase the .50 caliber rifle at a gun show, but was unable to due to time restraints. Prosecutors say that Routh also discussed the idea of using a rocket launcher to shoot down Trump's plane.{{cite news |last1=Rosen |first1=Jacob |title=Trump's would-be assassin Ryan Routh sought weapon to shoot down his plane, DOJ says|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-ryan-routh-assassin-weapon-plane/ |access-date=April 9, 2025 |agency=CBS News |date=April 9, 2025}}

As a result of the indictment, U.S Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI director Kash Patel, and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier decided to officially charge Routh for attempted first-degree murder and terrorism.{{cite news |last1=Dorsainvil |first1=Aja |title=Florida is charging Ryan Routh for attempted assassination of Donald Trump, AG says says|url=https://www.wptv.com/news/state/florida-is-charging-ryan-routh-for-attempted-assassination-of-donald-trump-ag-says |access-date=April 10, 2025 |agency=WPTV |date=April 10, 2025}}

File:Ryan Wesley Routh tags Joe Biden on Twitter stating he should go to Corey Comperatore's funeral.png, requesting Joe Biden to go to Corey Comperatore's funeral]]

According to posts on his Twitter account in 2020, Routh political views have evolved over the years. Routh said he made Donald Trump his "choice" in 2016, but by 2020, he voiced his dissatisfaction, stating, "I will be glad when you are gone."{{Cite web |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Suspect in Donald Trump assassination attempt may have been 'politically motivated' ADL says |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-820281 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916100446/https://www.jpost.com/international/article-820281 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2024 |title=Officials: Suspect in assassination attempt on Trump isn't Republican Fact check |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2024/09/17/ryan-wesley-routh-not-registered-republican-fact-check/75254525007/ |website=USA Today |access-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-date=September 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925103447/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2024/09/17/ryan-wesley-routh-not-registered-republican-fact-check/75254525007/ |url-status=live }} Voting records showed that Routh requested an absentee ballot in 2016, but did not actually vote.{{Cite web |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Contrary To Online Claims, Trump Suspect Is Registered Independent Voter |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/contrary-to-online-claims-trump-suspect-is-registered-independent-voter-200019a6 |website=Barron's |agency=AFP |access-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918094902/https://www.barrons.com/news/contrary-to-online-claims-trump-suspect-is-registered-independent-voter-200019a6 |url-status=live }} In a self-published e-book (Ukraine's Unwinnable War: The Fatal Flaw of Democracy, World Abandonment and the Global Citizen-Taiwan, Afghanistan, North Korea and the end{{sic}} of Humanity) in 2023, he wrote about his stated previous support for Trump by stating, "I am man enough to say that I misjudged and made a terrible mistake". He further went on to write "you are free to assassinate Trump as well as me for that error in judgement".{{Cite magazine |last=Guzman |first=Chad de |date=September 16, 2024 |title=What We Know—and Don't Know—So Far About the Trump Golf Course Shooter |url=https://time.com/7021494/ryan-wesley-routh-trump-golf-course-shooter-politics-iran-ukraine/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |magazine=TIME |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916162858/https://time.com/7021494/ryan-wesley-routh-trump-golf-course-shooter-politics-iran-ukraine/ |url-status=live }} The passage in question was specifically addressed to the Iranian government.{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/16/ryan-routh-trump-assassination-gun-charges-00179308|title=North Carolina man charged in Trump incident may have waited near his golf course for nearly 12 hours|work=Politico|date=September 16, 2024|accessdate=September 16, 2024|last1=Gerstein|first1=Josh}} His son stated that Routh hated Trump like "every reasonable person does."

Routh also supported Bernie Sanders in 2020, criticizing Joe Biden as "Sleepy Joe". In 2024, he expressed concern over democracy in a post tagging Biden, and telling him his campaign slogan should be "Keep America Democratic and Free".{{Cite news |last=Brooks |first=Brad |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Ryan Routh: What we know about suspect in Trump assassination attempt |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/what-we-know-about-reported-suspect-behind-apparent-trump-assassination-attempt-2024-09-16/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=Reuters}} In 2020, he also supported Tulsi Gabbard, calling for an executive order on police misconduct{{Cite news |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Ryan Wesley Routh: What we know about suspect in Trump assassination attempt in Palm Beach County |url=https://www.wptv.com/news/trump/ryan-wesley-routh-what-we-know-about-suspect-in-trump-assassination-attempt-in-palm-beach-county |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916031106/https://www.wptv.com/news/trump/ryan-wesley-routh-what-we-know-about-suspect-in-trump-assassination-attempt-in-palm-beach-county |url-status=live }} and he made several small donations to the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue, contributing 19 times in 2019 and 2020 with amounts ranging from $1 to $25, as recorded by the Federal Election Commission. By early 2024, he suggested a Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy ticket for the Republican primary.{{cite magazine |last=Guzman |first=Chad de |title=What We Know—and Don't Know—So Far About the Trump Golf Course Shooter |url=https://time.com/7021494/ryan-wesley-routh-trump-golf-course-shooter-politics-iran-ukraine/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |magazine=TIME |date=September 16, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916162858/https://time.com/7021494/ryan-wesley-routh-trump-golf-course-shooter-politics-iran-ukraine/ |url-status=live }} In 2024, he voted in the Democratic primary in Guilford County, North Carolina. Routh had additionally donated $140 to Democratic causes since 2019. He registered in North Carolina as an independent voter in 2012.

Routh has stated his support for Taiwan, and in his self-published text discussed its political status and called for international intervention to protect the island from China. In various posts on his Twitter account in 2023, Routh tagged the Haitian National Police and asserted that he had thousands of NATO-trained Afghan soldiers who "wish to serve for the Haiti national police at cheap wages."{{Cite news |last=Vargas |first=Ramon Antonio |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Son of suspect speaks after apparent Trump assassination attempt in Florida |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/15/trump-florida-shooter-suspect-son-ukraine |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=September 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925104113/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/15/trump-florida-shooter-suspect-son-ukraine |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Ryan Wesley Routh: The assassination suspect who flew to Ukraine and urged Americans to join him |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2024/09/16/ryan-wesley-routh-58-ukraine-supporter-hawaii/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=The Telegraph |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916085822/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2024/09/16/ryan-wesley-routh-58-ukraine-supporter-hawaii/ |url-status=live }}

Routh donated through ActBlue 20 times. He has donated $140 exclusively to Democrats and to Tulsi Gabbard (at the time a Democrat, but later aligned with Trump) since 2019.{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2024/09/15/us-news/alleged-would-be-trump-assassin-ryan-routh-donated-exclusively-to-democrats-since-2019/|title=Alleged would-be Trump assassin Ryan Routh donated exclusively to Democrats since 2019|work=New York Post|date=September 15, 2024|accessdate=November 13, 2024|last=Christenson|first=Josh}}{{better source needed|date=November 2024}}

• List of United States presidential assassination attempts and plots

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Category:1966 births

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Category:Prisoners and detainees of Florida

Category:North Carolina independents

Category:People associated with the 2024 United States presidential election

Category:People from Guilford County, North Carolina

Category:Articles containing video clips

Category:Impostors

Category:North Carolina A&T State University alumni