A man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his Florida golf club has entered a not-guilty plea in federal court.
According to ABC News, Ryan Routh, 58, appeared before a federal judge in West Palm Beach on September 30 to face charges related to the alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
The arraignment, which lasted less than five minutes, saw Routh's lawyers enter a not-guilty plea on his behalf. Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart, known for signing off on the Mar-a-Lago search warrant in the confidential documents case, presided over the proceedings.
Routh was initially charged with two federal firearms offenses following the incident at Trump International Golf Club on September 15. These charges included possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Last week, prosecutors expanded the indictment to include three additional charges: attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and assaulting a federal officer.
The government has argued that there is probable cause to support these additional charges, which they believe should be considered by the court.
Prosecutors claim that on September 15, while Trump was playing golf, a Secret Service agent spotted a gun barrel protruding from the tree line near the sixth green. The agent fired in the direction of the rifle, causing the suspect to flee the area and enter a nearby vehicle.
In court filings, the government stated:
The sole reason Routh was in West Palm Beach on Sept. 15 was for one reason and one reason only and that was to kill the former President of the United States.
Law enforcement officials discovered a digital camera, two bags, and a loaded SKS-style 7.62x39 caliber rifle with a scope in the area where the suspect was seen.
Prosecutors have presented evidence suggesting that Routh had been planning the alleged assassination attempt for some time. They claim he possessed a list of venues where Trump had appeared or was expected to be present from August to October.
Additionally, Routh is suspected of traveling near the golf course and Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort multiple times in the month leading up to his arrest. The government also revealed that Routh allegedly sent a letter to a civilian witness several months prior to his arrest, stating, "This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you."
This evidence and Routh's alleged actions on the day of the incident form the basis of the government's case against him.
In conclusion, Ryan Routh faces multiple federal charges related to an alleged assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The suspect has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate. The case continues to develop as prosecutors present evidence of premeditation and intent.
