In the roughly 36 hours since the second assassination attempt on Donald Trump, more details have emerged about the alleged shooter, Ryan Routh, the recurring failures of the Secret Service to protect the former president, and the criminal charges now facing Routh. As usual, the media and law enforcement are doing their best to play catch-up, trying to reassure the public that they have it all under control—despite clear evidence to the contrary.
Palm Beach County officials held a press conference on Monday, where representatives from the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s office, and the Secret Service attempted to clarify what happened. Sheriff Ric Bradshaw kicked things off by announcing that security at Mar-a-Lago has been ramped up to its highest level, with road closures and checkpoints. Apparently, it’s taken two assassination attempts to make them realize they need to beef up security. Bradshaw also assured the public that whatever resources the Secret Service might need, Palm Beach County would provide—once the Secret Service figures out what it actually needs. You know, no rush.
Markenzy Lapointe, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, confirmed the firearms offenses Routh has been charged with, though he hinted that more charges could follow. He also provided some unsettling details: agents found a digital camera, a loaded SKS-style rifle with a scope, and a bag of food near the treeline where Routh was hiding out. Oh, and the serial number on the rifle was conveniently obliterated. It’s comforting to know that this guy had time to grab a snack before his assassination attempt, right?
The FBI, which is leading the investigation, provided a more detailed breakdown of their activities. Agent Jeffrey Veltri from the Miami field office stated they had secured search warrants for Routh’s GoPro camera, cellphones, vehicle, and other electronic devices. The FBI is also conducting interviews with witnesses and working with the Secret Service to figure out how, exactly, this guy got so close to Trump. Veltri mentioned that family members and former coworkers of Routh are being questioned by FBI offices in Honolulu and Charlotte. So, while the agents are running around piecing this together, one has to wonder why it took this long to act.
Veltri dropped another bombshell: Routh was the subject of a closed 2019 FBI tip for allegedly being a felon in possession of a firearm. When agents followed up on this tip, the person who supposedly made the report denied ever doing so. So, naturally, the FBI handed off the case to local authorities in Hawaii and washed their hands of it. Fast forward to 2024, and here we are, with Routh nearly pulling off an assassination.
Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe took the podium next, trying to explain how Trump’s off-the-record golf outing didn’t make it to his official schedule. Apparently, forward agents spotted Routh trying to hide in the treeline near the 6th hole and fired at him. Routh fled the scene without returning fire, and Trump’s protective detail evacuated him to safety. Rowe, with a straight face, claimed the Secret Service’s protective strategies “were effective” that day. Sure, if you count near misses as a win.
During the press conference, Veltri and Rowe admitted they are still investigating how Routh made his way from Hawaii to Florida, how he got his hands on the rifle, and whether he knew Trump would be at the golf course that day. In other words, they’ve got a lot of homework to do, and until they figure it out, we’re left wondering why this guy was able to come so close to pulling off what could have been a major catastrophe.
