A disgruntled Democrat supporter, Ryan Routh, attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a Florida golf club, armed and intending to capture the act on camera.
On September 15, 2024, at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, Routh, 58, from Hawaii, was intercepted by the Secret Service while attempting to carry out his plan. The New York Post reported that Routh's past shows he held strong Democrat views and donated to ActBlue, a Democrat fundraising platform.
Routh was stationed at a chain link fence some 300-500 yards from Trump, poised with an AK-47 rifle and a GoPro camera strapped to his head.
This location gave him a clear line of sight to where Trump was present, indicating premeditation in the act he intended to film.
Routh's actions were abruptly halted when a Secret Service agent spotted him thrusting his gun through the fence to presumably aim.
The agent's immediate response was to open fire, causing Routh to flee the dangerous scene.
His escape was short-lived as he was quickly tracked down and apprehended by authorities on Interstate 95. This quick sequence of events prevented any harm from befalling Trump, who was unharmed during the ordeal.
Shortly after the incident, Trump reassured the public and his followers by tweeting "SAFE AND WELL," confirming his security amidst the chaos.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw noted the lighter security detail accompanying Trump, attributing it to his status as a former president rather than a sitting one. This factor may have played a part in how Routh approached the venue with the intent to harm.
Investigations revealed Routh's political donations through ActBlue, a platform favored by Democrats, amounting to several contributions to candidates like Beto O'Rourke, Andrew Yang, Tom Steyer, Elizabeth Warren, and Tulsi Gabbard. These records showed his clear political leanings away from his former ally, Trump.
Routh's political disillusionment with Trump was also documented in a series of social media posts culminating in a significant tweet on June 11, 2020, disparaging Trump and expressing his disappointment.
According to family members, though Routh was known to hold strong anti-Trump sentiments, he was not characteristically violent. His son echoed these sentiments, expressing a familial distaste for Trump but shocked by the extremity of Routh's actions.
Additional layers of Routh's history began to surface, including a prior conviction related to possessing a weapon of mass destruction.
This revelation brought forth a more troubling aspect to the individual who aimed to harm a former national leader.
Living in Kaaawa, Hawaii, at the time of the donations and not employed, Routh appeared to be in a tumultuous personal state, adding complexity to his motivations and current mental state.
As the dust settles, questions arise about the adequacy of security measures for former presidents and the political fallout of such drastic action by an individual with clear political biases. The analysis of Routh's approach, from bypassing security to his capture, is under rigorous review.
The incident beckons a national reflection on political discourse and the security of public figures, stressing the importance of monitoring threats amidst polarizing political climates.
As this story unfolds, the legal proceedings and further investigation into Ryan Routh's past actions, motivations, and affiliations will continue to reveal more about the dangers lurking in the shadows of political dissatisfaction.