A man accused of attempting to carry out a second assassination attempt on former President Trump was identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh. Routh was previously interviewed for a story in March 2023 regarding Ukraine's rejection of foreign fighters offering aid in the war against Russia.
According to a reporter who interacted with Routh during the interview, she described him as appearing 'off' and noted his demeanor as reminiscent of a scene from a movie. Despite his behavior, Routh did not stand out as the most eccentric individual she encountered during her reporting.
Routh was apprehended after fleeing Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., where Secret Service agents fired at him upon observing the muzzle of his AK-47 protruding through a chain-link fence near where Trump was playing.
The reporter was alerted by her editor about Routh's identity following his arrest, prompting her to recall the interview. During the interview, Routh discussed his involvement in creating the International Volunteer Legion, which facilitated the recruitment of international fighters to support Ukraine's war efforts.
Routh had spent five months in Ukraine, actively engaging with government entities to coordinate international support for the cause. He had also advocated for increased U.S. involvement in Ukraine's conflict with Russia, although it remains uncertain if he had any successful meetings with lawmakers in Washington, D.C.
Despite Routh's extensive history of encounters with law enforcement dating back to the 1990s, including various arrests in North Carolina for offenses such as drug possession and traffic violations, the reporter expressed surprise at his alleged attempt on the former president's life.
She emphasized that Routh never exhibited traits indicative of a potential presidential assassin, instead portraying him as passionate about supporting what he believed to be the right cause. The reporter's recollection of Routh's involvement in advocating for Ukraine's interests contrasted sharply with the violent actions he is now accused of undertaking.
