According to federal prosecutors, Ryan Routh, the individual accused of planning to assassinate President Donald Trump, allegedly tried to acquire military-grade weapons, such as a rocket launcher, from a contact in Ukraine.
Routh reportedly asked his associate to send him a rocket-propelled grenade or stinger, stating, “I will see what we can do… [Trump] is not good for Ukraine,” as detailed in court documents obtained by Fox News.
The discussions between Routh and his associate delved into the options available for Routh to make the purchase, with Routh even questioning whether his associate could ship the weapons to him. Routh also expressed his motive behind seeking these military-grade weapons: “I need equipment so that Trump cannot get elected.”
Routh went on to say the weapons of war get lost “all the time on the battlefield” and “one missing would not be noticed,” according to the court records.
Routh pleaded not guilty to the attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, assaulting a federal officer, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
In December, he was charged with another felony attempted murder charge, with prosecutors arguing he was responsible for an accident that almost killed a young girl when police shut down traffic after he fled.
Trump assassination suspect Ryan Routh was arrested for alleged attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate in Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sept. 15, 2024. (Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office)
Routh’s trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 8, 2025.
