Meet Ryan Wesley Routh: The man accused in apparent Trump assassination attempt

Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old white male with a lengthy criminal record, was taken into custody after authorities claimed he targeted former President Donald Trump at his golf club. The incident occurred while Trump was playing golf, and a Secret Service agent noticed an AK-47-style weapon protruding from a fence. The agent fired multiple shots, causing the suspect to flee. A witness captured a photo of the suspect's vehicle and license plate, which led law enforcement to locate the car driving north on I-95 in Martin County, Florida.

According to the FBI, the attack appears to have been an assassination attempt, marking the second such threat against Trump in two months. Routh was found with two backpacks and a GoPro camera, along with the firearm, near the perimeter of the golf course.

Background on Ryan Wesley Routh

Routh, originally from North Carolina, has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1997. His record includes offenses such as driving without a license, carrying a concealed weapon, hit-and-run, and possessing stolen goods. He was given probation for most of these charges. According to a LinkedIn profile, Routh studied at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and later relocated to Hawaii in 2018. He describes himself as "mechanically minded" with a passion for "ideas, invention, and creative projects."

Political Views
Routh has been vocal about politics on social media and has exclusively donated to Democratic candidates and causes since 2019. Despite initially supporting Trump in 2016, Routh became highly critical of him, posting on social media that democracy was "on the ballot" and accusing Trump of wanting to "make Americans slaves against master." In an April 2022 post, he urged President Biden to keep America "democratic and free." Even after a previous assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania, Routh criticized the former president and suggested Biden show leadership by visiting victims and attending a firefighter's funeral.

Routh’s online activity further underscores his disillusionment with Trump, despite his past support.