Florida AG Announces State Charges Against Ryan Routh

Ryan Routh, already facing federal charges for allegedly attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, will now confront additional state terrorism and attempted murder charges in Florida as officials claim the Biden administration obstructed their investigation.

Quick Takes

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed state terrorism and attempted murder charges against Ryan Routh, who was already facing federal counts for plotting to assassinate Donald Trump.
Routh allegedly conducted reconnaissance at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course months before his September 2024 attempt, where he was spotted by the Secret Service before he could act.
Florida officials claim the Biden administration attempted to block their investigation, with former AG Ashley Moody filing a federal lawsuit to prevent Justice Department interference.
Evidence suggests Routh sought anti-aircraft weapons to target Trump’s plane and faces a potential life sentence if convicted of the attempted assassination charges.

Florida Adds New Charges Against Trump Assassination Suspect

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced new state charges against Ryan Routh, who was already jailed on federal charges for allegedly attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump. The charges include attempted first-degree murder and terrorism, significantly expanding the legal battle Routh now faces. The suspect was arrested in September after Secret Service agents spotted him near Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course, where he had allegedly positioned himself with a rifle while the president was golfing.

Uthmeier emphasized the political nature of the alleged attack in his announcement. Investigators claim Routh’s planning was extensive, including reconnaissance of the golf course area as early as January 2024. Following his apprehension, authorities discovered an AK-47 style rifle, two backpacks, and camouflage equipment in the bushes where he had been hiding. Routh fled the scene without firing his weapon after being spotted by law enforcement officers.

Florida to charge would-be President Trump's assassination suspect Ryan Routh with state-level attempted first-degree murder and terrorism. https://t.co/vIgHZ72yKY

— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 10, 2025

Claims of Federal Obstruction

A significant point of contention in the case involves claims by Florida officials that the Biden administration impeded the state’s investigation. Uthmeier criticized federal authorities for allegedly creating roadblocks, while praising cooperation from Trump’s appointments to his administration, including FBI director Kash Patel and US Attorney General Pam Bondi. Former Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody had previously filed a federal lawsuit seeking to prevent what state officials described as interference from the Biden Justice Department.

The state charges come after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a separate state investigation into the alleged assassination attempt. The federal case against Routh includes charges of attempting to kill a major presidential candidate and possessing firearms illegally as a convicted felon. His federal court date is scheduled for September, following a delay granted to allow his attorneys to review the extensive evidence collected by prosecutors.

Disturbing New Evidence

Prosecutors have revealed alarming details about Routh’s alleged plans beyond the golf course incident. Government filings claim Routh had sought anti-aircraft weapons with the intention of targeting Trump’s personal aircraft. These revelations have added a new dimension to the case, suggesting a more elaborate and potentially devastating plot. Routh has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges, while his response to the new state charges is pending.

If convicted on the federal charges of attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate, Routh could face life imprisonment. The state charges now added by Florida authorities potentially compound his legal jeopardy.