Federal prosecutors revealed that a man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump sought to acquire advanced weapons, including rocket launchers and Stinger missiles, from contacts in Ukraine. The suspect, 58-year-old Ryan Routh, was apprehended by Secret Service agents on September 15, 2024, after being spotted aiming a rifle through a fence at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf club.
Court documents filed by the Department of Justice on Monday exposed encrypted messages showing Routh’s attempts to procure military-grade weaponry. In one exchange, he explicitly requested “an RPG or Stinger,” suggesting these weapons could be used against the former president, whom he claimed was “not good for Ukraine.”
The evidence includes messages where Routh discussed targeting Trump’s aircraft, even sharing photographs of the presidential candidate’s plane with captions noting Trump’s daily boarding routine. Prosecutors argue these communications constitute “direct evidence of his assassination attempt.”
Routh, who faces potential life imprisonment, has entered not guilty pleas to multiple federal charges. Earlier investigations had already established his connection to Ukraine through his attempts to recruit for their foreign legion. In his communications with supposed Ukrainian contacts, Routh attempted to persuade them that missing weapons wouldn’t be noticed, referring to equipment “lost and destroyed daily” in the conflict.
The suspect’s messages revealed his political motivations, with statements like “I need equipment so that Trump cannot get elected.” He also expressed approval of a previous assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024, responding with “I wish” when discussing the incident.
Ukrainian officials, including military personnel, have strongly distanced themselves from Routh’s actions, describing him as “delusional.” The DOJ filing emphasized the severity of Routh’s intentions, stating that his attempt to acquire destructive devices to target Trump’s airplane clearly demonstrated his lethal intent.
The incident occurred when Secret Service agents observed Routh pointing a rifle through the fence at Trump’s golf club. After being spotted, Routh fled the scene but was later captured during a vehicle pursuit. While he never succeeded in obtaining the military weapons he sought, the case has raised significant concerns about weapons accountability in Ukraine.
The DOJ’s evidence package includes detailed records of Routh’s communications regarding the potential weapons acquisition.
Prosecutors have highlighted how these messages demonstrate a clear pattern of premeditation and intent to carry out an assassination attempt against the presidential candidate.
The case represents the second known assassination attempt against Trump during his presidential campaign, though both incidents received limited mainstream media coverage. The revelation of Routh’s attempts to procure advanced military weapons has added a new dimension to the investigation, raising questions about international weapons trafficking and security measures surrounding presidential candidates.
Law enforcement officials have emphasized the seriousness of the threat, particularly given the sophisticated nature of the weapons Routh attempted to acquire. The investigation continues to examine potential international connections and the broader implications for national security.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the protection of political figures and the potential for weapons from conflict zones to be diverted for harmful purposes. While Routh’s attempts to acquire military hardware were unsuccessful, the incident has prompted increased scrutiny of weapons tracking and security protocols.