More than a week after the alleged attempted murder of Donald Trump, the main suspect has been officially charged with the attempted murder of a presidential candidate. The incident in the US state of Florida was a direct attack on democracy, the Department of Justice announced on Tuesday evening (local time).
Concerns about politically motivated violence in the US remain high in the midst of the election campaign – and Congress is taking action.
There is a risk of life imprisonment
The 58-year-old suspect was previously charged with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon with an unclear serial number. He was expected to face additional charges. Specifically, the newly added charge alleges “attempted assassination of a major political candidate.” If convicted, Ryan Wesley Rou faces a possible life sentence.
Presidential candidates should receive more protection
At almost the same time, the US Congress passed a bill intended to improve protection for presidential candidates. The text had been unanimously passed by the Senate a few days earlier; the House had voted unanimously in favor of the bill. The law stipulates that Republican presidential candidate Trump and his Democratic opponent Kamala Harris will receive the same level of Secret Service protection as incumbent US President Joe Biden. That person must now sign the text.
However, there are doubts whether additional funding for the Secret Service so close to the election can significantly improve the safety of the candidates. The Secret Service is responsible for protecting high-ranking politicians – including the current president, but also former office holders or presidential candidates such as Trump. Since the attack in the city of Butler, Pennsylvania, more than two months ago, Trump has received the same protection as the incumbent president. However, he is still protected by, for example, troops from the Department of Defense.
Trump was playing golf during the assassination attempt
A gunman opened fire at a Republican campaign rally in Butler, killing Trump. One attendee died and two others were wounded. Trump was wounded in his right ear. The assailant was killed by security forces. A little over a week ago, in another incident, the Secret Service shot and killed a gunman hiding in the bushes at Trump’s golf course in Florida while the ex-president was playing. The suspect did not fire a bullet and fled, but was arrested and charged a short time later.
Suspect: “I did my best”
On Monday, the Public Prosecution Service published a letter that Routh is said to have written. The letter – addressed to ‘die Welt’ – stated: ‘This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but I let you down. I did my best and gave everything I could muster.’ Court documents show that Routh’s mobile phone was at the crime scene for about twelve hours – and so was he. He is said to have planned the attack methodically.
The Justice Department also said Routh’s cellphone was in the vicinity of Trump’s golf clubs and his Mar-a-Lago estate, a few miles away, on multiple days and at various times between Aug. 18 and Sept. 15. The 58-year-old remains in custody pending trial. “Violence against public officials endangers everything our country stands for,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said.
There is serious concern about further escalation
On November 5, former President Trump and Vice President Harris will face each other in the presidential election. The mood in the US is heated: there are great concerns about further escalation. After the incident at his golf club in Florida, Trump blamed the Democrats. US President Biden warned of further violence.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
