Suspect in apparent Trump assassination attempt faces federal gun charges

A man accused of an attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump was charged with federal gun crimes on Monday. He made his first court appearance just weeks before the White House race, which has already seen instances of violence.

Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, is facing charges for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and for having a gun with an altered serial number. Authorities suggest more severe charges could follow as the investigation progresses, with prosecutors planning to seek an indictment from a grand jury.

Routh briefly appeared in federal court in West Palm Beach, where he responded to basic questions about his employment and income. Wearing a blue jumpsuit and shackled, he smiled while speaking with a public defender and reviewing documents before the hearing. The lawyer did not comment after the court session.

The incident occurred Sunday afternoon when Secret Service agents, positioned a few holes away from where Trump was golfing, spotted the muzzle of an AK-style rifle poking through shrubbery around 400 yards from the course.

According to authorities, an agent fired at Routh, who dropped the rifle and fled in an SUV, leaving behind the weapon, two backpacks, a scope, and a GoPro camera. He was later apprehended by law enforcement in a neighboring county.

This marks the second recent assassination attempt targeting Trump. On July 13, a bullet grazed Trump’s ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Just over a week later, Democratic President Joe Biden withdrew from the race, allowing Vice President Kamala Harris to become the party's nominee.