Trump assassination suspect charged with federal gun crimes in Florida court

'Thank God the president is OK,' President Joe Biden says in response to foiled attack

Ryan Wesley Routh, suspected of attempting to assassinate Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course, is held by two deputies after his arrest. Reuters

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The suspect behind an apparent assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump was charged with federal gun crimes in a Florida court on Monday morning.

Reports from the courtroom said Ryan Wesley Routh appeared in federal court in West Palm Beach shackled in a prison jumpsuit.

Mr Routh was formally charged with possessing a firearm despite being a convicted felon and with possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number, according to court documents, which could bring years in prison if he is convicted of either charge.

Mr Routh could face more charges as the investigation continues, CNN reported, quoting law officials.

The US Secret Service on Sunday saw an SKS-style rifle with a scope poking out of bushes at Trump International Golf Course where Mr Trump was playing a round and an agent fired his weapon towards it, the Justice Department said. Mr Routh was then seen running towards his vehicle.

The court documents revealed that mobile phone data suggests the would-be assassin was in the bushes for about 12 hours before he was seen and apprehended in a police chase.

Secret Service acting director Ronald Rowe told reporters that Mr Routh did not "have line of sight to the former president" and he did not fire any shots.

"He did not fire or get off any shots at our agent. With reports of gunfire, the former president's protection detail immediately evacuated the president to a safe location," Mr Rowe said.

Mr Trump was unharmed in the incident and in a later post on social media he thanked the Secret Service and Florida law enforcement for keeping him safe.

“I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes – it was certainly an interesting day,” he wrote.

This is the second assassination attempt against Mr Trump in two months, after a gunman opened fire during a July campaign event in Pennsylvania, injuring the former president and killing a rallygoer.

“Thank God, the president is OK,” President Joe Biden said on Monday morning.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland said that the Justice Department will work “tirelessly” with “every available resource” in investigating the foiled attack on Mr Trump.

“We are grateful that the former president is safe,” Mr Garland said in a statement. "We will work tirelessly to ensure accountability, and we will bring every available resource to bear in this investigation.”

Interviews with witnesses and those who know the suspect are continuing, authorities said. The Secret Service, which provides security for US leaders and former presidents, has faced backlash over the two close calls this summer.

The agency's director, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned after the first assassination attempt against Mr Trump.

“One thing I want to make clear: the Secret Service needs more help and Congress should respond to that need,” Mr Biden said.

Mr Rowe met Mr Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Monday afternoon.

"I've had a conversation with the former president," he said. "We've explained and we've worked with the campaign. The president is aware that he has highest levels of protection that the Secret Service is providing."

Local County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said: "The security level at Mar-a-Lago is the highest it can possibly be now."

International reaction

Mr Routh is known as an activist who tried to get volunteers to fight for Ukraine in its defence against Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was glad Mr Trump is safe, and declared that “political violence has no place anywhere in the world” in his condemnation of the assumed assassination attempt.

Russia said the suspect's Ukrainian links were proof that “playing with fire has consequences", Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “very worried” about the attempt on Mr Trump.

“It is really important that we're all very, very clear that violence has no part to play at all in any political process.”

The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the attempted assassination, rejecting all forms of violence and extremism.

Mr Routh remains in police custody. An arraignment is scheduled for September 30.