Ryan Routh, 58, pleaded not guilty Monday to federal charges related to an alleged plot to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his Florida golf course.
Routh, appearing in a West Palm Beach federal courthouse wearing a beige prison uniform and shackles, responded “yes, your honor” when asked by the magistrate judge if he understood the charges against him. His lawyer, Kristy Militello, entered the not guilty plea and requested a jury trial during the brief arraignment.
The Hawaii resident faces charges of attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and firearms offenses stemming from an incident on September 15. According to court documents, a Secret Service agent spotted the barrel of a rifle protruding from brush near Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course, where the former president was playing.
“This case highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by high-profile political figures,” said a law enforcement official who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the investigation.
Prosecutors allege that FBI analysis of Routh’s phone showed he had been in Florida since August 18, with his devices repeatedly located near Trump’s golf course and Mar-a-Lago residence. On the day of the incident, Routh allegedly spent nearly 12 hours in the vicinity of the Trump International Golf Club.
Court documents also reference a box Routh allegedly left at an unidentified person’s home months before the attempt, containing letters. One letter, addressed to “The World,” reportedly stated: “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I am so sorry I failed you.” The letter also allegedly offered $150,000 to “whomever can complete the job.”
This incident marks the second alleged assassination attempt on Trump this summer. On July 13, a gunman opened fire at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, killing one person and wounding Trump in the ear. The former president was otherwise unharmed, and the assailant was killed at the scene.
The case has been randomly assigned to federal District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee who previously dismissed criminal proceedings against the former president regarding his retention of classified documents at his private residence.
