The Paw Print

By Isabella Sun, Associate News & Features Editor

On Sept. 15, Donald Trump was targeted in his second attempted assassination at his golf club in West Palm Beach. The suspected shooter, 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, was arrested without bail after being identified as the man seen with a rifle at the golf course.

Routh hid in the bushes and pointed a semiautomatic rifle at Trump, who was about 400 meters away. A Secret Service agent spotted the rifle barrel sticking out from a bush and secret service shot at the suspect. Routh attempted to escape, leaving behind two backpacks filled with ceramic tile, which he had hung on a fence and a video camera. He was quickly chased down by police as he drove up Interstate 95.

Prosecutor Mark Dispoto said that Routh traveled “for one reason and one reason only, and that was to kill the former president of the United States.” He also added that Routh had a clear line of sight. Trump between 12 and 15 minutes away from the sixth hole, where Routh had a clear shot just 100 feet away.

Routh is a former Trump supporter. He voted for Trump in 2016, but has since said that the former president has been a disappointment and that he “will be glad when [Trump] is gone.” In his self-published book, he told the country of Iran that they “are free to assassinate Trump.”

His digital footprint notes that he backs Ukraine in the war against Russia and has unsuccessfully tried to be recruited for the war against Russia. Routh also has an extended criminal history, including felony charges for possessing a weapon capable of mass destruction in 2002. Between 2001 and 2010, he was also charged with a number of misdemeanors. 

A witness told investigators that Routh dropped off a large box containing many ammunition tools and letters several months beforehand. One of the letters referenced this assassination. 

Addressing “the world,” Routh said he was sorry for the failed assassination attempt. “I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job.” The remaining contents included his criticism of Trump about how he “ended relations with Iran like a child and now the Middle East has unraveled.”

Authorities also found a handwritten list of venues and dates where Trump was expected to appear. Routh’s cell phone data showed that he was near Trump’s Mar-A-Lago residence and golf course multiple times a day between Aug. 18 and Sep. 15. After tracking Routh’s search history, they discovered that he also researched how to drive from Florida to Mexico.

In an email sent out by his campaign, Trump responded. “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!” He pledged not to slow down the campaign and thanked the Secret Service for their work, saying, “Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his office of brave and dedicated patriots, and, all of law enforcement, for the incredible job done today at Trump International in keeping me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican Nominee in the upcoming presidential election, SAFE. THE JOB DONE WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!”

Kamala Harris, Trump’s opponent in the 2024 elections, said she felt “deeply disturbed” by what happened. “I am thankful that former President Trump is safe,” Harris said. “I commend the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement partners for their vigilance.”

Former President Joe Biden condemned the situation, saying that the ballot box is what resolves disagreements in America, not the gun. 

Questions have risen on whether or not Secret Service did their job properly. Ever since Trump’s first attempted assassination, the Secret Service has increased protection for 40 people including the president, the vice president, former presidents and first ladies and running mates. Although he did not provide much detail on what he is planning to do, Secret Service acting director Ronald Rowe said it’s time for a “paradigm shift,” and that the agency needs new renovations on how to protect presidents. Rowe did not go into detail about his vision for the agency.

 In the wake of Trump’s second assassination attempt, Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., and Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., said in a statement, “We are thankful that the former President was not harmed, but remain deeply concerned about political violence and condemn it in all of its forms.”