Attempt to Assassinate Trump Involves Plans to Attack His Aircraft, DOJ Reports

Federal law enforcement accuses Ryan Routh of not only plotting to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald Trump but also attempting to acquire military-grade weapons to down Trump's plane.

In a report released on Monday, authorities revealed that in August, Routh attempted to procure military devices over the internet from someone he believed to be a Ukrainian arms dealer.

Court papers show Routh contacted the associate, saying, "Send me a rocket launcher or a missile, and we'll see what happens."

Routh expressed a desire to prevent Trump's election by acquiring the weapons. He also tried to buy a .50 caliber rifle, a more powerful version of a weapon he allegedly already possessed, which he hoped to obtain at a gun show.

The authorities reported that Routh intended to use the firearm against Trump at a golf course, concealing himself in nearby foliage, although Trump played at a distance where Routh had no clear line of sight.

Secret Service agents identified Routh's presence due to his visible weapon, prompting a response that resulted in Routh's escape. He was later apprehended approximately 50 miles from the golf venue.

The defense team raised concerns about the identification of Routh, suggesting that police methods might have influenced the witness to wrongly identify him. They requested the court to disallow this testimony, arguing it was obtained inappropriately.

Routh's trial is set to commence on September 8, 2025, and his lawyers have questioned the admissibility of the witness identification, citing potential constitutional violations.