Routh Faces Terrorism, Murder Charges in Trump Plot

Ryan Wesley Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump, faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and terrorism in Florida, alongside federal charges to which he has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors allege that Routh, a supporter of Ukraine, tried to acquire military-grade weapons such as rocket launchers from a contact believed to be Ukrainian, with the intent to prevent Trump's re-election. The plot was uncovered through encrypted communications where Routh expressed that Trump was detrimental to Ukraine. Florida officials have criticized the Biden administration for allegedly obstructing their investigation, a claim reiterated by state attorney general James Uthmeier. Routh was arrested after being spotted with a rifle at Trump's golf course, and there is ongoing legal debate about the admissibility of eyewitness testimony critical to his identification. The case continues to unfold with Routh's trial set for September 2025.