In a dramatic incident at a golf course in Florida, a 58-year-old man named Ryan Wesley Routh was arrested for an alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Routh, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, had previously expressed a desire to fight against Russia and had been vocal in his criticism of Trump on social media.
He described Trump as an 'idiot' and blamed him for various political missteps, including the storming of the U.S. Capitol and the withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.
Routh's arrest follows a series of concerning activities, including a previous incident in 2002 involving a weapon of mass destruction and more recent erratic behavior, such as inviting Kim Jong-Un to Hawaii in 2020 and claiming to have hundreds of NATO-trained soldiers ready to intervene in Haiti.
On the day of the incident, Routh was discovered by Secret Service agents near Trump's golf course, armed with an AK-47 and other equipment. The agents quickly responded, firing shots that led to Routh's apprehension.
Though he initially fled, he was later captured with the assistance of a witness who provided crucial information. Trump, who was playing golf at the time, assured his supporters of his safety and praised the Secret Service for their swift action.
The incident has sparked a range of reactions, with some questioning the adequacy of Trump's security detail and others, including President Biden and Vice President Harris, condemning political violence. The FBI continues to investigate the case to determine any further connections to Routh's pro-Ukrainian stance.
