Federal prosecutors have revealed chilling new details about an elaborate, months-long plot to assassinate President Donald Trump, allegedly orchestrated by Ryan Wesley Routh, a convicted felon from North Carolina.
In a court filing submitted Sunday, the Department of Justice outlined evidence supporting a five-count indictment against Routh, including attempted assassination, possession of firearms by a felon, and assaulting a federal officer.
According to the 21-page government motion, Routh, 39, traveled from North Carolina to South Florida in March 2024 to scout Trump’s movements, eventually returning in September to carry out what prosecutors say was a meticulously planned attempt to kill the former and now current president.
His plot culminated in a September 15 standoff at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, where Routh had set up a sniper’s hideout equipped with a military-grade SKS rifle.
READ: Would-Be Trump Assassin Sought RPG To Shoot Down Trump’s Plane, DOJ Alleges
Routh was interrupted and shot at by Secret Service agents shortly before Trump was expected to come into range. He fled the scene, abandoning his weapon and setting off a manhunt that ended with his capture in Martin County.
Six Months of Planning
Court documents describe a disturbing level of preparation and resolve. Prosecutors say Routh’s plan dates back at least six months before the assassination attempt. Evidence includes:
- A handwritten letter titled “Dear World,” where Routh declares his intent to assassinate Trump and accepts future imprisonment.
- Efforts to purchase weapons, including a .50 caliber sniper rifle and anti-aircraft missiles, with messages like “I need equipment so that Trump cannot get elected.”
- A network of burner phones, fake license plates, and surveillance of Trump’s travel patterns.
- Contact with a smuggler in Mexico, who Routh allegedly planned to meet after fleeing the U.S. post-assassination.
Prosecutors also described how Routh used aliases, camped for weeks near West Palm Beach to observe security patterns, and searched extensively online for topics like “Trump airplane,” “sniper tactics,” “escape routes,” and “local hospitals.”
“This wasn’t a fantasy or idle threat,” prosecutors wrote. “It was a mission he prepared for with deadly seriousness.”
Weapons Cache and Explosive Devices
When Routh returned to North Carolina in April 2024, he allegedly left behind a storage box with a friend containing:
- Ammunition, including .50 caliber rounds.
- Components for an improvised explosive device.
- Multiple burner phones.
- Copies of his assassination manifesto.
A manual titled “Improvised Explosives: How to Make Your Own” was recovered from a nearby trailer at Routh’s former business.
Pattern of Violence and Firearms Use
Though Routh has not stipulated to his felon status, prosecutors detailed prior convictions—including a 2002 North Carolina conviction for possessing a weapon of mass destruction (a dynamite-based device). Routh also previously admitted to owning AK-47s and Tech-9 pistols, similar in type to the SKS rifle found at the scene.
Prosecutors argue these details are critical to proving intent and showing a longstanding familiarity with dangerous weaponry.
“Consciousness of Guilt”
Routh’s post-attack actions further bolstered the government’s case. Prosecutors say he fled using stolen license plates, operated under false identities, and attempted to contact a smuggler in Mexico to assist in his escape.
“The lengths Routh went to avoid detection are not those of someone with innocent intentions,” the filing states.
The court has yet to rule on the government’s motion to admit the extensive body of evidence, much of which prosecutors say is direct or “inextricably intertwined” with the crimes Routh is charged with. A trial date has not yet been set.
If convicted, Routh faces the possibility of life imprisonment. Prosecutors say they will seek the maximum penalties under federal law.
The case comes amid rising political tensions and security concerns as President Trump continues his second term. The attempted assassination marks the most serious threat against a major U.S. political figure in over a decade.
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