The suspect who was accused of attempting to assassinate former president Donald Trump at his golf course earlier this month apparently wrote about his plot months before allegedly acting.
According to court documents, Routh’s letter was clear in its intent. “Dear world, this was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I am so sorry I failed you. I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster,” the letter reportedly read.
This striking confession was part of the evidence presented by prosecutors as they argued that Routh should be detained without bail ahead of his September 30 arraignment.
On September 15, Routh allegedly shoved the muzzle of a rifle through the fence surrounding Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course, where the former president was playing a round.
A Secret Service agent quickly responded, firing a shot, though Routh reportedly never had Trump in his line of sight and did not fire his weapon.
Routh, a convicted felon, faces charges of possessing a firearm and having an illegally removed serial number on the weapon.
The court filings suggest that Routh had been planning this attack for months. His phone had pinged cell towers near Trump’s golf course and his Mar-a-Lago estate for weeks leading up to the incident.
A handwritten list of Trump’s scheduled appearances was found in Routh’s car during a search by authorities.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Dispoto said on Monday that the government would seek additional indictments from a grand jury, potentially including charges for attempting to assassinate a major political candidate.
The letter, which was placed inside a box along with ammunition and other writings, was dropped off with an unnamed witness months before the attempted attack. The witness reportedly only opened the box after hearing about Routh’s arrest.
The content of the letter paints a picture of Routh being driven by a deep-seated belief that Trump is unfit to serve as president.
“Everyone across the globe from the youngest to the oldest know that Trump is unfit to be anything, much less as US president,” the letter reads.
“U.S. presidents must at bare minimum embody the moral fabric that is America and be kind, caring and selfless and always stand for humanity.”
Following Routh’s arrest, Trump wasted no time in accusing federal authorities of mishandling the case.
In a lengthy statement, Trump accused the DOJ and FBI of downplaying the second assassination attempt on his life this year, while indicating political bias is driving their investigation.
“The Kamala Harris/Joe Biden Department of Justice and FBI are mishandling and downplaying the second assassination attempt on my life since July,” Trump stated.
He furiously noted that the “slap on the wrist” charges brought against Routh—primarily focused on gun possession—were insufficient given the seriousness of the plot.
Trump’s criticism extended beyond the assassination attempt, citing a pattern of what he called “Weaponized Lawfare” against him.
He referenced a slew of legal challenges he has faced, including the DOJ’s investigations into his handling of classified documents, the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election, and charges related to his efforts to contest the results of the 2020 election.
In particular, Trump took issue with FBI Director Christopher Wray’s comments following the first attempt on Trump’s life earlier this year.
Wray had incredulously suggested that Trump may have been struck by something other than a bullet, only for the FBI to later clarify that Trump had indeed been shot, though it was unclear if the bullet was fragmented or whole.
Trump’s solution to what he perceives as mishandling of the case is to have Florida authorities to take over the investigation.
“If the DOJ and FBI cannot do their job honestly and without bias, and hold the aspiring assassin responsible to the full extent of the Law, Governor Ron DeSantis and the State of Florida have already agreed to take the lead on the investigation and prosecution,” Trump remarked.
“Florida charges would be much more serious than the ones the FBI has announced… LET FLORIDA HANDLE THE CASE!”
I suspect Rough’s supposed letter described here is a fake. Why? Even an idiot would not apologise for failure before attempting the act much less someone with enough smarts to get this close and get away when detected.
That said, no one would suggest that there is not enough evidence to bring the charge of attempted murder of Trump when someone has a high powered rifle with the serial numbers removed sticking through a vine covered fence, an itenary of Trump, and a cell phone with pings showing his tracking! Who ever wrote this letter is as big a fool as
Routh.
I have to ask: Why didn’t the secret service detect the threat during the hours Routh waited. Why did the secret service miss? Apparently they were not the ones that identified the fleeing shooter and took a picture of the car. I say this because, unlike the lie about them killing the Pennsylvania shooter, they are not bragging about it. The agent who saw the gun should be commended. Who ever planned this security and led it should be fired.
We still don’t know who all was involved. My advise to the Secret Service. Like Watergate, follow the money.
Unreal!
The DOJ must be dismantled…FIRST!
I heard years ago “never trust the government”. Didn’t believe it back then but now it is so true.
The powers that be – the FBI, DOJ, Secret Service, Deep State – no one is going to convince me that people in these agencies did not plan these assassination attempts! How the truth will ever get out, I do not know. I believe that nearly all the left-wing media are either in direct cahoots with these attempted murderers or sympathizers with them.