A man arrested near Donald Trump’s Florida golf course had written a note months earlier stating his intent to kill the former president, according to court filings.
“This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump,” read the note, which prosecutors say was left at a witness’s home several months before the September 15 incident.
The suspect, 58-year-old Ryan Routh, is facing two federal gun charges and could face more. He is scheduled to appear in federal court later today.
The note, addressed to “The World,” described a premeditated assassination attempt. “I tried my best and gave it all the effort I could,” Routh wrote. He also promised a cash reward to anyone “who can complete the job.”
Court documents reveal that the box containing the letter, ammunition, building materials, tools, and four phones, was left at the witness’s home before the incident. Prosecutors say the witness opened the box after hearing about the attempted assassination.
Routh has been detained since his September 15 arrest. A Secret Service agent on duty at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course noticed Routh’s face in nearby foliage before spotting a rifle. The agent drew his weapon and fired when Routh allegedly moved his gun, though Routh did not fire back, according to police.
After fleeing the scene and abandoning the weapon, Routh was arrested on Interstate 95 following a tip from a witness. He was found with 11 rounds of ammunition, one of which was loaded in the rifle.
Investigators also uncovered a list in Routh’s vehicle detailing Trump’s public appearances between August and October. Phone records show Routh had been near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort from August 18 to September 15.
Routh, originally from North Carolina, has a history of legal trouble, including charges for stolen goods from 1997 to 2010. He most recently lived in Hawaii.
In 2022, Routh unsuccessfully attempted to recruit foreign soldiers to fight for Ukraine following the Russian invasion. Ukrainian soldiers described his plans as “nonsensical” and “delusional.”
Prosecutors are arguing for Routh’s continued detention, claiming he is a flight risk and a danger to the public. A hearing is set for today to determine whether he should remain in custody ahead of his arraignment on September 30, when he will enter a plea.
