Ryan Wesley Routh, the man accused of making a second assassination attempt on Donald Trump, was charged in federal court on Monday with two firearm-related offenses. Routh, wearing dark-blue prison scrubs and shackles, remained composed during his brief court appearance. The charges, which include possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possessing a gun with an obliterated serial number, are preliminary as authorities continue their investigation.
Routh had been near Trump's Florida golf course for 12 hours before being confronted by a Secret Service agent. He was armed with a rifle, but did not fire any shots. The agent discharged their weapon when they spotted Routh's gun through the trees, leading to his arrest. Trump was evacuated immediately to a safe location, and no injuries were reported.
In the aftermath, Trump publicly blamed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for the incident, accusing them of inciting violence against him through their rhetoric. He described them as "the enemy within" and claimed their actions were responsible for the attack.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced an investigation into how Routh was able to get so close to the former president. Federal and state law enforcement agencies will lead the probe, with additional charges against Routh likely forthcoming.
As the U.S. grapples with heightened tensions surrounding the upcoming election, many politicians, including President Biden, condemned the use of violence. Biden assured the public that efforts to strengthen the Secret Service would continue, ensuring the safety of all political figures. Meanwhile, Trump’s supporters, including his running mate J.D. Vance, expressed solidarity, with Vance calling for a rejection of political censorship.
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