Ryan Routh Charged with Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump

On September 15th, 58-year-old Ryan Routh was arrested by the Secret Service near a golf course where a former U.S. president was playing. What were his intentions?

On September 15, 2024, 58-year-old Ryan Routh was arrested by Secret Service agents near a golf course as former U.S. President Donald Trump was playing. Routh, armed with a semi-automatic rifle, was charged with attempted assassination on September 24, 2024.

A Suspect with a Criminal Past

Previously prosecuted for illegal possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, Routh now faces additional charges. These include attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and assaulting a federal officer, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Repeated Threats Towards the Former President

This incident marks the second assassination attempt on Donald Trump within two months. Intelligence services have also warned him of "real and direct threats from Iran" aimed at his assassination, as stated by his spokesperson, Steven Cheung. These "ongoing and coordinated attacks" have escalated recently.

A Tense International Context

The threats from Iran are believed to be in retaliation for the January 2020 killing of Qassem Soleimani, a key Iranian military strategist, ordered by Trump. However, investigations into the July 13 assassination attempt found no connections between the shooter and any foreign or domestic collaborators or conspirators, according to the National Security Council.

This complex and international case raises significant concerns about the safety of the former president and global political stability.