His history reveals a string of legal troubles dating back to the 1990s, as well as a complicated political identity that oscillated between supporting various candidates across the political spectrum. Routh’s criminal record began in the early 90s, when he was charged with writing bad checks. However, it was in 2002 that his brushes with the law escalated dramatically. According to the North Carolina Department of Corrections, he was charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction, a felony. In the same year, he had his driver’s license revoked and faced multiple charges, including a hit-and-run, carrying a concealed weapon, and resisting arrest. By 2010, further charges of possessing stolen goods added to his legal troubles. Routh, who owns a small construction company in Hawaii, maintained an active presence on social media, where his political views were fluid. Over the years, he has shown support for candidates ranging from Bernie Sanders and Tulsi Gabbard to Nikki Haley and Trump. His voter registration status since 2012 has been “unaffiliated,” though he participated in North Carolina’s Democratic primary in 2024, according to state election records. Routh also made 19 small donations to ActBlue, a political action committee that raises funds for Democratic candidates. Routh’s online posts also betray a deep-seated animosity toward Trump, whom he initially supported in 2016. However, by 2020, his stance had soured. In a social media post from that year, he wrote:Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump.
@realDonaldTrump While you were my choice in 2106, I and the world hoped that president Trump would be different and better than the candidate, but we all were greatly disappointment and it seems you are getting worse and devolving. I will be glad when you gone. On Sunday, Routh’s grievances allegedly culminated in an assassination attempt on Trump, who was at his West Palm Beach golf course. According to a criminal complaint, at approximately 1:31 p.m., a Secret Service agent saw what appeared to be a rifle protruding from the tree line near Trump’s golf course. The agent fired in the direction of the weapon, prompting a man, later identified as Routh, to flee the scene in a black Nissan SUV. A witness reported seeing the suspect leave the area. Authorities intercepted Routh on I-95, 50 miles from the scene, at 2:14 p.m. He did not resist arrest. Officers discovered an AK-47-style rifle in his possession, as well as two backpacks containing ceramic tiles and a GoPro camera hidden in the bushes near the golf course. His vehicle’s license plate had been registered to a 2012 white Ford truck that was reported stolen. According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Routh had been stationed approximately 300 to 500 yards away from Trump at the time of the incident. Cellphone data later revealed that Routh had been in the vicinity of the golf course for nearly 12 hours before the Secret Service agent spotted him. Routh now faces federal charges, including possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison and up to $500,000 in fines. While Routh’s political journey may seem erratic, his connection to international affairs is noteworthy. In recent years, he emerged as a figure in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, leading the Ukraine International Volunteer Center, an organization dedicated to connecting foreign volunteers with Ukrainian military and aid groups. Routh’s involvement included efforts to recruit Afghan soldiers who had fled the Taliban to fight in Ukraine, though he reported to Semafor that Ukrainian authorities were resistant to accepting these foreign fighters. Routh’s political and personal grievances against Trump also extended beyond social media posts. In 2023, he self-published a book titled Ukraine’s Unwinnable War, in which he urged Iran to assassinate the former president. He described Trump as a "fool" and a "buffoon," criticizing both his handling of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot and the decision to exit the Iran nuclear deal. Routh wrote in his book that he had once voted for Trump but now felt responsible for having helped elect what he called a "brainless" leader.
