This story at a glance…

1. Ryan W. Routh, 58, was arrested for attempting to assassinate former President Trump at a Florida golf course.

2. Routh, armed with a rifle, was spotted by a Secret Service agent moments before the attack.

3. A note revealed Routh’s plan, offering $150,000 to anyone willing to “finish the job” after his failed attempt.

4. Routh had tracked Trump’s schedule and had an escape plan, showing this was a premeditated act.

Detailed Plans Revealed on Trump’s Second Assassination Attempt

Ryan W. Routh, a 58-year-old contractor, is facing charges related to an alleged attempt to assassinate former President Donald J. Trump. Federal court filings released on Monday have shed light on Routh’s extensive planning and intent to carry out the attack. Routh had been monitoring the grounds of Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, for a month, preparing to strike.

On September 15, Routh took his position outside the fence near the sixth hole, armed with a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a scope. As the former president approached the sixth hole, a Secret Service agent, who was one step ahead of Trump’s group, spotted the weapon, immediately intervening and preventing what could have been a tragedy. The rifle was found with a bullet in the chamber and 11 more rounds ready. Routh’s fingerprints were later confirmed on the weapon, which he left behind when he fled the scene.

The Note That Uncovered His Intentions
After Routh’s arrest, investigators uncovered a troubling handwritten note left at a friend’s house months before the incident. In the note, Routh admitted to planning the assassination attempt, stating, “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you. I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster.” He went on to encourage others to complete the mission, even offering $150,000 as an incentive for anyone willing to “finish the job.”

Routh’s note also criticized Mr. Trump, declaring he was unfit to serve as president. This document provided clear evidence that his actions were not impulsive but rather the culmination of months, possibly years, of planning and deep-seated resentment.

Evidence of Detailed Preparation
Authorities discovered more disturbing evidence pointing to the extent of Routh’s planning and surveillance. When they searched his vehicle, a Nissan SUV, they found a list of dates in August, September, and October 2024, which tracked venues where Mr. Trump had appeared or was expected to be. It suggests that Routh was methodically following the former president’s schedule, waiting for the right moment.

In addition, law enforcement found six cellphones, 12 pairs of gloves, a Hawaii driver’s license, a passport, and internet searches showing plans for travel from Palm Beach County to Mexico. These discoveries indicate Routh may have been preparing for a potential escape following his intended attack.

Routh’s Troubled Past
Ryan W. Routh’s criminal history adds another layer to this complex story. According to prosecutors, he has been convicted multiple times for possessing stolen goods. In 2002, he faced charges in North Carolina for possessing a “weapon of mass death and destruction,” specifically a binary explosive with a 10-inch detonation and a blasting cap. For this, he was convicted and placed on supervised probation for 60 months.

Last week, Routh was formally charged with possessing a firearm as a felon, a crime that could result in up to 15 years in prison. Additionally, he faces charges for possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number, making it clear that he took steps to hide his intentions. As prosecutors have made their case to keep Routh detained indefinitely while awaiting trial, they argue that his history and the details of this incident demonstrate a high level of danger and a willingness to commit extreme violence.

Reflection
The human heart can often be gripped by darkness. However, as Christians, we’re called to respond not with anger, but with love and prayer. Romans 12:21 encourages us, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Let’s pray for the safety of our leaders, wisdom for law enforcement, and healing for those whose hearts have hardened. May God’s grace transform their hearts, and may we be instruments of peace, showing Christ’s love even in moments of fear and division.