The suspect behind the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Florida, Ryan Routh, has been revealed to have stalked Mar-a-Lago and Trump's golf course in West Palm Beach for weeks. It has also been suggested that he may have been planning a getaway to Mexico. Routh, who has been charged with possessing a gun with a scratched-out number and possessing a gun illegally as a felon, was ordered to remain in custody by a federal judge on Monday.
During a hearing, it was noted that Routh accessed cell towers near Trump International Golf Club and Mar-a-Lago multiple times from August to September. The FBI obtained cell site records for two of Routh's cell phones, which were serviced by different carriers using different cell towers. The government intends to ask a grand jury to indict Routh on the more serious charge of attempted assassination, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
In addition to the charges, federal prosecutors revealed that Routh had written a chilling letter months before the assassination attempt. Magistrate Judge Ryon McCabe granted the government's request to detain Routh, stating that it appeared Routh had been stalking Trump for 30 days. Rep. David Joyce expressed concern that the letter might incite others to follow Routh's lead.
These developments have raised questions about Routh's intentions and potential threats to public safety. The investigation into the assassination attempts on Trump is ongoing, with federal authorities closely monitoring the situation.