Man Accused of Attempted Assassination of Trump in Florida Pleads Not Guilty

Ryan Routh, a 58-year-old man accused of trying to assassinate Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at his Florida golf course, pleaded not guilty to several federal charges on Monday.

His lawyer, Kristy Militello, made the plea during a short hearing in a federal court in West Palm Beach and asked for a jury trial.

Routh, wearing a beige prison uniform and shackles, said “yes, your honor” when the judge asked if he understood the charges against him. He was arrested on September 15 after a Secret Service agent spotted a rifle barrel sticking out of the bushes near Trump’s golf course, where Trump was playing. The agent fired at Routh, who fled but was caught shortly after.

Routh faces charges of attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and firearms violations. A federal judge recently ruled that Routh, who is from Hawaii, should stay in custody while the case moves forward.

According to prosecutors, the FBI found that Routh had been in Florida since August 18. His phone data showed he had been near Trump’s golf course and Mar-a-Lago residence multiple times. On the day he was spotted, Routh had spent almost 12 hours near Trump International Golf Club.

Court documents also revealed that months before the incident, Routh left a box at someone’s house with several letters inside. One of the letters, addressed to “The World,” said: “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but I am sorry I failed.” It also offered $150,000 to anyone who could finish the job.

This is the second attempt on Trump’s life this summer. On July 13, a gunman opened fire at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, killing one person and injuring Trump in the ear. The gunman was killed at the scene.

Routh’s case has been assigned to federal Judge Aileen Cannon, who was appointed by Trump and recently dismissed criminal charges against him for keeping classified documents at his home.