Ryan Routh pleaded not guilty to federal charges in connection with an alleged attempt to assassinate Donald Trump at the former president’s golf club in Florida.
Routh, 58, appeared in federal court in West Palm Beach on Monday for his arraignment, which lasted fewer than five minutes.
Routh’s lawyers entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
Ryan Routh is seen in this courtroom sketch during his arraignment in federal court in West Palm Beach, Fla., Sept. 30, 2024.
Lothar Speer
Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart, who notably signed off on the Mar-a-Lago search warrant in the confidential documents case, presided over the arraignment.
Routh had previously been charged with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number for the incident that took place at Trump International Golf Club on Sept. 15.
He was indicted last week with three new charges — attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer — on top of the two federal firearms charges.
He is being held without bail.
Department of Homeland Security police officers stand watch outside the Paul G. Rogers Federal Building and US Courthouse during a hearing on the detention of Ryan Wesley Routh, in West Palm Beach, Fla., Sept. 30, 2024.
Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images
Prosecutors said in court filings there is “probable cause to support additional charges which can and should be considered by the court.”
Routh possessed a list that included dates from August to October of venues where Trump had appeared or was expected to be — and is suspected to have traveled near the golf course and Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort multiple times in the month leading up to his arrest, prosecutors said in a detention filing.
Booking photo obtained on September 19, 2024, from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office in Florida, shows the mugshot of Ryan Wesley Routh.
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office/AFP via Getty Images
In their memo, prosecutors further revealed Routh allegedly sent a letter “several months prior” to his arrest to a civilian witness that stated, “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you.”
The government argued the sole reason Routh was in West Palm Beach on Sept. 15 was “for one reason and one reason only and that was to kill the former President of the United States.”
On the day of the alleged attempted assassination, Trump was playing golf on the course when a Secret Service agent spotted a gun barrel poking out from the tree line near the sixth green, according to investigators.
The agent then fired in the direction of the rifle and saw Routh fleeing the area and entering his nearby vehicle, according to the criminal complaint filed in the case.
Law enforcement officials work at the crime scene outside the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., Sept. 16, 2024.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images
In the area of the tree line where the suspect was seen, agents found a digital camera, two bags, including a backpack, and a loaded SKS-style 7.62×39 caliber rifle with a scope, according to the complaint.
Trump was not harmed in the incident and was taken to a safe location by Secret Service agents.
ABC News’ Alexander Mallin contributed to this report.
Ryan Routh, a 25-year-old man from Nevada, has entered a plea of not guilty in a case involving the alleged attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. The incident took place on January 20th, when Routh was arrested by Secret Service agents after allegedly attempting to breach the security perimeter at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
According to court documents, Routh was found in possession of a handgun and ammunition at the time of his arrest. He reportedly told investigators that he was on a mission to kill Trump and had been planning the assassination for several months. Routh also allegedly posted threatening messages on social media, expressing his hatred for the former president.
Routh’s plea of not guilty comes as a surprise to many, given the overwhelming evidence against him. However, his defense attorney has stated that Routh is mentally ill and may not be competent to stand trial. The judge has ordered a psychiatric evaluation to determine Routh’s mental state and whether he is fit to proceed with the case.
The attempted assassination of a former president is a serious and disturbing crime that has shocked the nation. It serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by individuals who harbor extreme political beliefs and are willing to resort to violence to achieve their goals.
The case against Ryan Routh is still ongoing, and it remains to be seen how it will ultimately be resolved. In the meantime, the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies are working diligently to ensure the safety and security of all public officials and individuals at risk of harm.
As the legal proceedings continue, the public will be closely following this case to see justice served and to understand the motivations behind such a heinous act. The attempted assassination of Donald Trump serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and security measures in protecting our leaders and preserving the democratic process.
