The 58-year-old is facing serious gun charges following his arrest in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he allegedly targeted Trump with an AK-47 rifle while the former president was golfing at Trump International Golf Club.
According to court documents, Routh allegedly aimed the weapon at Trump through a fence while Trump was playing a round of golf on Sunday. The Secret Service swiftly intervened, ensuring Trump's safety and moving him to a secure location. Trump, 78, was unharmed.
Routh, dressed in black prison scrubs and shackled, faced two main charges: possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. These charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Routh's court appearance lasted only eight minutes and he did not enter a plea. His bond hearing is scheduled for September 23, with a probable cause hearing set for September 30.
Further investigation has revealed that Routh was surveilling the golf course for nearly 12 hours before his arrest. Cell phone data tracked his movements from 1:59 a.m. to 1:31 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15, suggesting he had advance knowledge of Trump's presence at the course.
Routh reportedly staked out the location and positioned himself for the attack, indicating a level of premeditation. Routh's arrest occurred about 50 miles from the golf course in Martin County.
Law enforcement, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), held a press conference on Sunday, revealing images and details of the scene. These images showed that Routh had left behind an AK-47-style rifle, a backpack, a GoPro camera and ceramic body armor near the sixth hole of the golf course. This evidence highlights the seriousness of the attempt and the planning involved.
During his court appearance, Routh was notably cheerful and courtroom sketches captured his wide smile, which drew attention from reporters.
Martin County Sheriff Will Snyder expressed concerns about whether Routh acted alone or was part of a broader conspiracy. Snyder questioned how Routh, who is not from the local area, managed to reach Trump International Golf Club and whether he had accomplices.
Snyder compared the situation to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and emphasized the gravity of the incident.
Trump's would-be assassin is an ex-convict
Routh's background includes a troubling criminal history.
In 2002, he was convicted in North Carolina for weapon law violations and terrorist threats. This conviction followed a three-hour standoff with law enforcement after he barricaded himself inside a roofing business following a traffic stop. Routh's prior offenses and the severity of the current charges raise concerns about his potential motivations and connections.
Routh's son, 35-year-old Oran, expressed disbelief over his father's actions.
Oran described his father as a non-violent person who did not even own a gun. He admitted his father’s dislike for Trump but maintained that he couldn't believe his father would target the former president. This familial perspective adds another layer to the investigation, as authorities work to understand Routh's motives and possible affiliations. (Related: Trump denounces Biden-Harris administration for destructive policies that "hurt the American people.")
The charges against Routh are preliminary and additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.
Although he has not yet been charged with making threats against a former president – an offense that could add five years to his sentence – his actions are being scrutinized closely. Law enforcement is keenly interested in any possible links to broader conspiracies or additional threats to public figures.
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Watch Breanna Morello discussing Google being caught covering for Trump's assassination attempt in the clip below.
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