WEST PALM BEACH: Ryan Routh, a 58-year-old man accused of plotting to assassinate Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, pleaded not guilty on Monday to several federal charges during a brief arraignment at a federal courthouse in West Palm Beach, Florida. His lawyer, Kristy Militello, entered the plea and requested a jury trial on behalf of Routh.
Dressed in a beige prison uniform and shackled at the wrists and ankles, Routh confirmed his awareness of the charges when asked by the magistrate judge. He faces serious charges, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and various firearms offenses.
Routh’s arrest occurred on September 15 after a Secret Service agent observed the barrel of a rifle protruding from brush on the perimeter of Trump’s golf course while the former president was playing a round. When the agent fired shots in response, Routh fled the scene in a vehicle but was apprehended shortly thereafter.
A federal judge has ruled that Routh, who is believed to be a resident of Hawaii, should remain in custody as the case progresses. According to FBI analysis of Routh’s phone records, he had been in Florida since August 18, with multiple locations traced near both Trump’s golf course and his Mar-a-Lago residence during that time.
Notably, court documents reveal that Routh spent nearly 12 hours in the vicinity of the Trump International Golf Club before his apprehension. Prosecutors have also detailed troubling findings from Routh’s communications.
They allege he dropped off a box at an unidentified person’s home several months prior to his arrest, containing letters that referenced an assassination attempt on Trump.
One of these letters, addressed to “The World,” reportedly stated, “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I am so sorry I failed you.” The letter expressed Routh’s regret over the unsuccessful attempt, asserting, “I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster,” and offered a reward of $150,000 to anyone who could “complete the job.”
This incident marks the second assassination attempt on Trump this summer, following a shooting incident on July 13 at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. During that event, a gunman opened fire, resulting in one death and injuring Trump in the ear before being killed at the scene.
The case has been assigned to federal District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee who recently dismissed criminal proceedings against the former president related to the retention of classified documents at his private residence.
