Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a Florida golf course, has been indicted on a charge of attempted assassination of a political candidate. Routh, 58, was found pointing a rifle through a fence at a golf course where Trump was playing. He has been remanded in custody pending trial, with the charge carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Prosecutors revealed evidence suggesting Routh had a plan to kill Trump, including dropping off a note offering $150,000 for someone to “finish the job”. Routh was found with a loaded rifle, a backpack, and a list of dates and venues where Trump was expected to appear. An agent fired at Routh, who fled but was apprehended on a highway.
The incident comes two months after Trump was shot during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, prompting an investigation into Secret Service failings leading up to the shooting. While Routh did not have Trump in his line of sight, officials have emphasized the seriousness of the situation and the need to hold perpetrators of violence against political candidates accountable.
Routh has not entered a plea yet, and his lawyers have unsuccessfully sought his release on bond. The case has been assigned to Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the severity of the charges, stating that the Justice Department will not tolerate violence against the democratic process.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com