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By Kaitlin Lewis and Barney Henderson
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A suspect has been charged after an apparent assassination attempt on Sunday against former President Donald Trump at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. The suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, aged 58, appears to have been motivated by frustration with U.S. policy on the war in Ukraine.
In a June 2022 interview with Newsweek Romania, Routh spoke about his efforts to recruit volunteers for the International Legion Defense of Ukraine, a unit of Ukraine's Ground Forces.
"The question as far as why I'm here … to me, a lot of the other conflicts are grey, but this conflict is definitely black and white," Routh said. "This is about good versus evil. This is a storybook, you know, any movie we've ever watched, this is definitely evil against good."
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Routh had his first appearance in federal court on Monday morning.
During an eight-minute hearing, prosecutors levied two charges against him: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Routh's Support For Ukraine
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Routh's social media accounts focused on his self-proclaimed involvement in the war in Ukraine, including his supposed effort to recruit soldiers to fight in the conflict. Routh also claimed to have fought in Ukraine as it continues to hold off Russia's invasion.
Routh previously spoke with The New York Times about his effort to recruit Afghan soldiers who fled the Taliban to fight in Ukraine. At the time of the report, which was published on March 25, 2023, Routh told the Times that he had spent several months in Ukraine in 2022.
A Semafor report published on March 10, 2023, cited Routh as the head of the International Volunteer Center (IVC) in Ukraine, a private organization that works to "empower volunteers" and other nonprofit groups that work to "enhance the distribution of humanitarian aid throughout Ukraine," according to the IVC's website.
The IVC has said this claim is false.
"We want to make it clear IVC has no connection to Mr. Routh, was not founded by him, and has not had any dealings with him. Our leadership and staff do not know Mr. Routh and have not collaborated or communicated with him in any way," it said.
It added: "We have been officially registered as an organization in Ukraine since October 2023. Prior to the recent developments, none of us had any knowledge of Mr. Routh or any other entity named the International Volunteer Center, aside from our own registered organization. We presume Mr. Routh has not established any organization with the name International Volunteer Center in Ukraine."
A former volunteer for Ukraine's International Legion also branded Routh as "delusional" and a "liar" over his claims that he recruited for the Ukrainian organization.
Evelyn Aschenbrenner, a U.S. citizen from Detroit, Michigan, who worked with the International Legion beginning in March 2022—first in administration, and then as a recruiter—for a total of two years, told Newsweek on Monday that Routh is "not, and never has been, associated with the International Legion or the Ukrainian Armed Forces at all."
Trump has been vocal about his skepticism of providing military arms to Ukraine, inspiring his party to block essential military funding to the country for months earlier this year.
During the recent debate with his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump was asked directly, "Do you want Ukraine to win this war?" He did not say "yes."
Routh wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) in July that he had voted for Trump in 2016.
"While you were my choice in 2016, I and the world hoped that President Trump would be different and better than the candidate, but we all were greatly disappointed and it seems you are getting worse and devolving," he said.
Routh camped outside golf course for 12 hours
Routh camped outside a golf course with food and a rifle for nearly 12 hours, lying in wait for the former president before a Secret Service agent thwarted the potential attack and opened fire, according to court documents filed Monday.
Underscoring the level of planning involved, Routh is believed to have been positioned at the tree line of the golf course from about 1:59 a.m. to 1:31 p.m. Sunday, according to an FBI affidavit that cites cellphone data. A digital camera, a loaded SKS-style rifle with scope, and a plastic bag containing food were recovered from the area where Routh had been standing, according to the affidavit.
Routh Urged Iran To Assassinate Trump
It has emerged that Routh also wrote a book called Ukraine's Unwinnable War, which is on sale on Amazon.
"You are free to assassinate Trump," Routh wrote of Iran in the apparently self-published book in 2023, which described the former president as a "fool" and "buffoon" for both the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots and the "tremendous blunder" of leaving the Iran nuclear deal.
Routh wrote that he once voted for Trump and must take part of the blame for the "child that we elected for our next president that ended up being brainless."
"I am the failure, the hypocrite that wants the world to change but let communism beat me down and exhaust me and send me home," he writes in the book.
Routh 'Hated Trump'
Routh's son has said his father hated Trump "as every reasonable person does"—but that he was not a violent man.
Oran Routh, 35, told the Daily Mail: "He's my dad and all he's had is couple traffic tickets, as far as I know," he said. "That's crazy. I know my dad and love my dad, but that's nothing like him."
He added: "He's not a violent person. He's a hard worker and a great dad. He's a great dude, a nice guy and has worked his whole f---ing life."
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Routh 'Would Die for Ukraine'
Remus Cernea, a Newsweek journalist based in Romania, has revealed the last message he received from Routh.
Cernea said Routh wanted to fight in the Ukranian International Legion but "there was no chance" because of his lack of military experience.
He described a "child like" misfit who he said rarely spoke about U.S. politics and indicated he would "die for Ukraine."
In their final exchange, Routh had requested Cernea's help with visas for foreigners wanting to join the Ukrainian military.
Zelensky Sends Good Wishes to Trump
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, has tweeted a message to Trump, saying he's glad the former U.S. President is unharmed.
"This is our principle: the rule of law is paramount and political violence has no place anywhere in the world," he wrote on X.
Trump's Response and Reactions
In an email to supporters, Trump said: "There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!"
"Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!" the former president said.
The former president, who was uninjured, returned to his home at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach after the incident.
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Trump's running mate, Ohio U.S. Sen. JD Vance, posted on X that he spoke to the former president before the news became public and said, "he was, amazingly, in good spirits."
Vance said there was still a lot "we don't know" about the incident.
Past Criminal Offenses
CNN analyst Miller said that Routh has been living in Hawaii and was formerly a construction worker in North Carolina. The suspect has also reportedly been previously arrested eight times, mostly for minor offenses.
He was convicted in 2002 of possessing a weapon of mass destruction, the AP reported, per online North Carolina Department of Adult Correction records but could not provide details about the case.
A December 2002 story by News & Record in Greensboro, North Carolina, said that a man with the same name was arrested after a three-hour standoff with police. Routh was reportedly charged with carrying a concealed weapon and possessing a weapon of mass destruction, "referring to a fully automatic machine gun."
Political Donations
Federal Election Commission (FEC) records paint an unexpected picture of the suspect's past political engagement.
Records show that between September 2019 and March 2020, Routh, then a resident of Kaaawa, Hawaii, contributed over $140 through the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue. These donations, ranging from $1 to $25, came at a time when Routh was listed as "not employed" in official records. His contributions, though modest, targeted a diverse array of 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls.
Beneficiaries of Routh's political largesse included former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke, entrepreneur Andrew Yang, billionaire activist Tom Steyer, and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Curiously, Routh also repeatedly supported former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who has since dramatically shifted her political allegiances, leaving the Democratic Party and aligning with Trump.
Notably absent from Routh's donation list are President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who ultimately secured the Democratic nomination.
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Social Media Posts
Routh's accounts on X, formerly Twitter, and Facebook have been suspended. However, Newsweek has seen their contents before the suspension.
On X, Routh posted dozens of times in support of Ukraine. In March 2022, for example, shortly after the full-scale invasion, he wrote: "I AM WILLING TO FLY TO KRAKOW AND GO TO THE BORDER OF UKRAINE TO VOLUNTEER AND FIGHT AND DIE … Can I be the example We must win."
Earlier posts appear to indicate a shift in his political stance. In June 2020, in a post tagging Trump's account, he wrote: "While you were my choice in 2106, I and the world hoped that president Trump would be different and better than the candidate, but we all were greatly disappointment and it seems you are getting worse and devolving."
"I will be glad when you gone," he added.
More recently, his support for Ukraine continued. In April 2024, Routh tagged Elon Musk in another X post, writing: "I would like to buy a rocket from you. I wish to load it with a warhead for Putins Black sea mansion bunker to end him. Can you give me a price please."
Routh used his personal Facebook account to encourage foreigners to fight in Ukraine's war against Russia. In particular, he wanted to enlist Afghan troops.
"Afghan Soldiers- Ukraine is somewhat interested in 3000 soldiers, so I need every soldier that has a passport to send me a copy of their passport to send to Ukraine," he wrote in October 2023.
AK-47 Pointed into Golf Course
Trump was playing golf Sunday afternoon at his Trump International Golf course.
At around 1:30 p.m., Secret Service agents on duty near the former president noticed a rifle through the fence around the perimeter of the course, Ric Bradshaw the Palm Beach County Sheriff said at a press conference.
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The suspect was near the fourth or fifth hole. This was one or two holes ahead of where Trump was playing—about 400-500 yards from the gunman.
Suspect Shot at and Flees
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A U.S. Secret Service was one hole ahead of Trump's group on the course. He spotted the suspect in the shrubbery by the fence and "immediately engaged that individual," Bradshaw said. The officer opened fire. The suspect abandoned the weapon and escaped in a Nissan SUV.
A witness told police he saw the suspect running out of the bushes and jumping into a black Nissan vehicle, Bradshaw said. The witness took a photograph of the vehicle, which allowed police to track the suspect via the license plate.
Suspect's Weapon, GoPro and Backpacks
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Bradshaw said the suspect had an AK-style rifle with a scope, two backpacks hanging on a fence and a GoPro camera.
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Photos shared by law enforcement show two black bags hanging from a chain-link fence in the shrubbery outside the course, with the firearm propped up in between them and pointed through a gap in the fence.
The GoPro camera was hanging on the fence to the side.
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Arrest
After fleeing in the SUV, Routh was apprehended in a nearby county without a weapon, law enforcement officials told AP.
Police took the witness to the scene of the arrest and the witness identified the suspect, Bradshaw said.
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Teri Barbera, a spokesperson for the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, said there was only one person of interest in the investigation who was being interrogated. Barbera did not offer information about a possible motive.
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Charges
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Routh had his first appearance in federal court on Monday morning.
During an eight-minute hearing, prosecutors levied two charges against him: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Officials said Routh could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the first charge, and a possible five-year sentence on the second charge.
A bond hearing has been schedule for Sept. 23, and a probable cause hearing or arraignment has been set for Sept. 30, depending on whether the government secures an indictment on the charges.
During the hearing, Routh gave routine information to court officials as to his work status and income. Speaking in a soft voice, he said that he was working and making around $3,000 a month, but has zero savings.
Routh said that he has no real estate or assets, aside from two trucks worth about $1,000, both located in Hawaii.
Routh also said that he has a 25-year-old son, whom he sometimes supports.
Reactions to the Attempted Assassination
Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a close Trump ally, posted on X, "Dear Democrats and your activists in the media, Is two assassination attempts on Donald Trump's life considered a 'threat to democracy' yet?"
After Sunday's incident—which occurred just nine weeks after the assassination attempt in Pennsylvania—the Trump campaign sent an email to campaign staffers asking them to be on alert. According to AP, which obtained the email, it read, "This is not a matter that we take lightly. Your safety is always our top priority. We ask that you remain vigilant in your daily comings and goings."
"As we enter the last 50 days of President said, Trump's campaign, we must remember that we will only be able save America from those who seek to destroy it by working together as one team."
President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris were briefed on the incident and the ongoing investigation. "I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe," she posted. "Violence has no place in America."
Biden released a similar statement. "I am relieved that the former President is unharmed," he said. "As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country, and I have directed my team to continue to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President's continued safety."
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state would be conducting a thorough investigation of the shooting on X, "The people deserve the truth about the would be assassin and how he was able to get within 500 yards of the former president and current GOP nominee."
Follow Newsweek's live blog for election updates.
Update 9/17/24, 2:08 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with a statement from the IVC, saying that Routh has no connection with the organization.
Update 9/16/24, 4:52 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with Routh's social media activity before it was suspended.
Update 9/15/24, 10:36 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and FEC filings.
Update 9/15/24, 9:02 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and statement from Oran Routh.
Update 9/15/24, 8:21 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 9/15/24, 7:39 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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