Ryan Routh entered a not guilty plea in federal court on Monday regarding accusations that he tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, last month.
The 58-year-old faces several charges, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and various gun-related offenses. His brief appearance before Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart follows a judge’s decision to keep Routh in federal detention without the possibility of bail.
The charges arise from an incident on September 15, when Trump was golfing, and a Secret Service agent noticed a rifle barrel protruding from the bushes a few holes away. The agent shot at the gunman, who then fled the scene in a vehicle.
Routh was subsequently arrested while driving the vehicle that a witness had seen leaving the area. Law enforcement searched Routh’s car and discovered “a handwritten list of dates in August, September, and October, along with venues where the former President had appeared or was expected to be present,” according to the Department of Justice.
Investigators reported that Routh had detailed his plans to kill Trump in a letter placed in a box given to a “civilian witness.”
“This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I am so sorry I failed you,” the letter said.
“Everyone across the globe from the youngest to the oldest know that Trump is unfit to be anything, much less a U.S. president,” the letter continued. “U.S. presidents must at bare minimum embody the moral fabric that is America and be kind, caring and selfless and always stand for humanity.”
Routh has prior felony convictions in North Carolina from December 2002 and March 2010.
In reaction to the numerous attacks on Trump, both the House and Senate approved legislation aimed at enhancing security measures for presidential candidates.
“We all know why this legislation is needed. In a span of just 65 days … President Trump has been the target of two assassination attempts,” Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) said before the Senate unanimously approved the legislation.
The bill, designed to standardize security for presidents, vice presidents, and major presidential and vice presidential candidates, is now on its way to President Joe Biden for approval.
