Ryan W Routh, a 58-year-old man, has been charged with two gun-related crimes after being caught with a rifle near Donald Trump’s golf course in Florida. The FBI is investigating this incident as an assassination attempt on the former US president. Routh, armed with a loaded semi-automatic rifle, was lying in wait for nearly 12 hours before being arrested on Sunday. He did not fire any shots and never had Trump in his line of sight, according to the Secret Service. This is the second attempted assassination on Trump in two months, raising concerns about the violent nature of US politics.
The Secret Service has been criticized for allowing armed suspects to get close to Trump, prompting an investigation. Trump’s schedule is not public, so the authorities are trying to determine how the gunman knew where he would be. The incident also highlighted the need for increased security measures for Trump and other political figures.
Routh has prior felony convictions in North Carolina, including possession of an unregistered fully automatic gun. Investigators are searching through his social media posts for clues about his motives for the crime. Routh, a supporter of Ukraine, traveled there after Russia’s invasion in 2022. Ukrainian officials and organizations have distanced themselves from Routh, emphasizing that he has no affiliation with them.
Trump and Biden made statements condemning political violence and calling for increased protection for the former president. The FBI continues to investigate the incident to uncover the full extent of Routh’s plans and ensure the safety of political figures in the future.
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