Suspect in apparent Trump assassination attempt hit with two gun charges

Former President Trump recalled Sunday's apparent assassination attempt during an event on the social media platform X on Monday evening, saying he heard the shots from Secret Service agents.

The former president said he and a friend he was golfing with "we heard shots being fired in the air, and I guess probably four or five, and it sounded like bullets. But what do I know about that? But Secret Service knew immediately it was bullets, and they grabbed me."

"So we're in the group, and everybody just, we got into the carts and we moved along pretty good," he said.

Trump said an agent "had seen a barrel of a AK-47, which is a very powerful gun, rifle, and he started shooting at the barrel, he started shooting in the bushes. He could only see the barrel."

Reflecting on the July assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump said, "That was some crazy day, and yesterday you had another one with a different result, actually much better result," because nobody was killed or wounded. 

One person was killed and two others were wounded by the shooter in the July attempt.

Trump also said of President Biden, "He was very nice, that he called up to make sure that I was OK."

Jake Rosen contributed reporting.

Alleged Trump assassination attempt suspect Ryan Routh had other brushes with the law prior to Sunday's incident. He also traveled across the globe, volunteering to fight in the war on behalf of Ukraine. Scott MacFarlane has new reporting on what we know about the suspect.  

Former President Donald Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance, said the heated political rhetoric needs to be turned down, blaming Democrats for stoking violence against Trump when they call him a "fascist" and claim his reelection would end democracy in the U.S. 

"I do think that we should take this opportunity to call for a reduction in the ridiculous and inflammatory political rhetoric coming from too many corners of our politics," he said while campaigning in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Vance argued there's a "big difference between conservatives and liberals" because "no one has tried to kill Kamala Harris in the last couple of months, and two people now have tried to kill Donald Trump in the last couple of months. 

Law enforcement has not determined a motive in Sunday's incident or the attempted assassination in July. The Sunday incident is being investigated as an attempted assassination.

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have both condemned the assassination attempts and said there is no place for violence in American politics.

Taurean Small contributed reporting.

Trump described his call with President Biden as a "very nice call." In a statement to CBS News, he said the two discussed "Secret Service protection." 

 President Biden and former President Trump spoke on Monday after Mr. Biden initially said Trump was unavailable when he tried to call.

"President Biden just spoke with former President Trump, and conveyed his relief that he is safe," a White House official told CBS News in a statement. "The two shared a cordial conversation and former President Trump expressed his thanks for the call."

The Secret Service did not sweep the full golf course ahead of Trump's visit because acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe said Trump's golf outing was unscheduled. So, Rowe said, they exercised an "emergency" plan. 

"The president wasn't even really supposed to go there," Rowe said. "It was not on his official schedule. And so we put together a security plan, and that security plan worked."

Routh's cellphone was in the area for about 12 hours on the day of the incident, according to authorities.

Jeffrey Veltri, the FBI special agent in charge of the Miami field office, said authorities are reviewing Routh's background, his online activity and objects found at the scene. 

"We view this as extremely serious, and are determined to provide answers as to what led up to the events which took place," Veltri said at a briefing Monday afternoon. 

Veltri said DNA has been collected from the rifle and other items found at the scene, which have been sent to an FBI lab at Quantico, Virginia, for analysis. Veltri said they'll be working to compile the subject's movements leading up to Sunday's incident. Veltri also said Routh had an "active" online presence, and they're working to review his activity. 

Veltri said investigators are using all available resources and that the FBI and Secret Service are still in the process of interviewing people.

Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe said the agency is using protective methodologies and assets put in place after the attempt on Trump's life in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July. And Rowe suggested Sunday's incident at the golf course is proof that those plans are working.

"We constantly evaluate based on threat," Rowe said. "And yesterday, what we showed is that our agents and our protective methodologies — and there's a lot of tactical assets in place, things that have been put in place as a result of what happened 60 days ago — those elements are working. And that demonstrates the redundancies that we have. And so, we constantly evaluate. We'll of course look at this and see what lessons learned from it, but as of right now, we are constantly evaluating that threat, and if we need to ratchet up additionally, we will." 

Rowe said the suspect did not have a line of sight to Trump.

Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe said the suspect "did not fire or get off any shots at our agent" — the clearest statement from law enforcement officials yet that Routh did not fire a gun during the incident.

In a news conference, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said the security level at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate is the "highest it could possibly be now," following Sunday's apparent assassination attempt, which occurred at the former president's golf course just a few miles away.

The Biden administration has asked Congress for special permission to increase its spending on the Secret Service in the coming weeks, even if Congress passes only a short-term spending bill to avert a government shutdown.

Multiple sources told CBS News a so-called anomaly request was submitted in August to congressional committees by the Biden administration. In the request, the administration's Office of Management and Budget warns that without some flexibility to ratchet up spending on the agency in the coming weeks, "the Secret Service would have insufficient resources to sustain and enhance protective operations."

Congressional staffers told CBS News there are increasing concerns about the level of funding for the agency. The uncertainty over how much additional funding the Secret Service will need has further knotted negotiations and deliberations over government spending for the new fiscal year, which starts in October.

In a letter sent a week ago to a Senate subcommittee, the acting director of the Secret Service, Ronald Rowe, said "Increased mission requirements of the Secret Service necessitate additional resources."

Read more here.

The former president says he'll appear live on X, formerly known as Twitter, from his Mar-a-Lago estate at 8 p.m. ET. Trump's last live appearance on X was plagued with technical difficulties. 

Although he didn't say in the post what he planned to discuss, Trump said last week that he'd announce Monday at 8 p.m. the debut of a new cryptocurrency platform called World Liberty Financial that will be controlled by sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. In recent weeks, the Trumps have been promoting the endeavor on social media, touting it as "the future of crypto." 

Trump's 18-year-old son Barron, a first-year student at New York University, is identified as the project's "DeFi visionary," according to a white paper on the project obtained by cryptocurrency news site CoinDesk. DeFi, short for "decentralized finance," is a term that refers to financial services offered through public blockchains

Body camera footage released Monday shows Routh's arrest on a Florida roadside.

The bodycam footage from the Martin County Sheriff's Office shows a group of sheriff's deputies in bulletproof vests with guns out yelling at Routh after his SUV was pulled over on I-95, about 50 miles north of the Trump International Golf Course.

In the video, Routh is directed to move to his right and then walk backward. The deputies then took Routh into custody.

Read more here.

As the federal probe into the apparent assassination attempt continues, Routh could face additional charges, depending on what the investigation uncovers. He is so far charged with two firearms offenses.

Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a statement saying the FBI is "continuing to investigate what appears to be an assassination attempt of former President Trump that occurred yesterday in Florida," and, "we are grateful that the former president is safe."

"The entire Justice Department — including the FBI, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, and the National Security Division — is coordinating closely with our law enforcement partners on the ground," Garland said.

President Biden began his remarks at the 2024 National HBCU Week Conference in Philadelphia on Monday by commending the Secret Service for protecting his predecessor.

"Before I begin, I want to make a quick reference on the attempted assassination against our former president in Florida yesterday," Mr. Biden said. "I commend the Secret Service for the expert handling of the situation."

He said the acting head of the Secret Service is in Florida "assessing what happened and determining whether any further adjustments need to be made to ensure the safety of our former president. Let me just say, there is no ... no place for political violence in America. None. Zero. Never."

After the attempted assassination of Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July, Mr. Biden delivered a rare Oval Office address to condemn the violent attempt on Trump's life and call for unity.

Law enforcement officials said the armed suspect was spotted by a member of Trump's Secret Service detail on the perimeter of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach a few holes ahead of where the former president was golfing. According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, the former president was about 300-500 yards away at the time.

This map shows the approximate locations of Trump and the suspect at the golf course.

Investigators said a Secret Service agent scanning the area spotted the suspect's rifle in the tree line while Trump was on the 5th fairway, and that Routh did not have line of sight to the former president.

Officials say the Secret Service agent fired at the suspect, who fled the scene without firing any shots. He was pulled over on I-95 about 45-50 miles away and was taken into custody.

There is no indication Routh ever fired the rifle, according to a federal source.

Although the serial number on the rifle was obliterated, there are methods investigators will use to try to raise it. If this is successful, investigators will try to trace where the gun came from.

Routh allegedly fled the vicinity of the Trump International Golf Club in a black Nissan sport utility vehicle and was pulled over on I-95 by Martin County police. When asked if he knew why he was being stopped, "he replied in the affirmative," according to the criminal complaint.

The license plate attached to the Nissan he was driving was registered to a white 2012 Ford truck that had previously been reported stolen, the complaint said.

Martin County Sheriff William Snyder says he arrived at the scene shortly after the suspect was pulled over driving north on I-95.

"I was at the scene right after the stop. I had gone from my house," Snyder said in an interview. "I was taken back by just how flat of a facial affect he had. He was displaying no emotion. I mean, he was the — he was coherent, cognizant, but it looked to me like he was just on his way to, early Sunday, Sunday night church service. … We had helicopter overhead. We had a dog out there. We had men with rifles and tack vests. I-95 shut down in all directions. He never so much as asked what's going on. He just sat there, really, like he was going to a picnic."

Trump took to X, formerly known as Twitter, Monday afternoon to thank the Secret Service and local law enforcement, commending them for doing an "outstanding" job handling the potential attempt on his life. He thanked Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw by name. 

"I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes - It was certainly an interesting day!" Trump wrote. "Most importantly, I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and his Office of brave and dedicated Patriots, and, all of Law Enforcement, for the incredible job done today at Trump International in keeping me, as the 45th President of the United States, and the Republican Nominee in the upcoming Presidential Election, SAFE. THE JOB DONE WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!"

The complaint against Routh describes the weapon found at the scene as "a loaded SKS-style, 7.62x39 caliber rifle with a scope." It noted the serial number on the SKS-style firearm was "obliterated and unreadable to the naked eye." 

In an affidavit submitted as part of the complaint, FBI special agent Mark Thomas said that SKS-style 7.62x39 caliber rifles aren't manufactured in Florida, which means that there is probable cause to believe it previously likely traveled in interstate or foreign commerce.

Both of the charges Routh currently faces are firearms charges: possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and obliterating the serial number on a firearm.

In December 2002, Routh was convicted in Greensboro, North Carolina, of possession of a weapon of mass death and destruction, a Class F felony. In March 2010, he was convicted of multiple counts of possession of stolen goods, a Class H felony in North Carolina.

The criminal complaint against Routh revealed Monday that his cellphone was in the same vicinity near the Trump golf course for nearly 12 hours. 

"Agents requested T-Mobile, on an emergency basis, to provide law enforcement with information pertaining to ROUTH's mobile phone usage," the complaint said. "Those records indicated that Routh's mobile phone was located in the vicinity of the area along the tree line described above from approximately 1:59 AM until approximately 1:31 PM, on September 15, 2024."

Routh made 19 donations to the Democratic PAC ActBlue between September 2019 and March 2020, totaling $131.40, according to Federal Election Commission records. The address listed on the donations matches his Hawaii address.

ActBlue is a fundraising platform that supports Democratic candidates and issues. Routh voted Democratic in the 2024 North Carolina primary election, and he voted in person, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections. 

In a post directed at Trump on X, from an account that has now been suspended, Routh claimed he had voted for him in 2016. "[Y]ou were my choice in 2106," he wrote, adding, "I and the world hoped that president Trump would be different and better than the candidate, but we all were greatly disappointment and it seems you are getting worse and devolving." 

 In a since-deleted post, billionaire "X" owner Elon Musk wrote, "No one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Harris," a post that sparked outrage and concern. 

White House spokesperson Andrew Bates called the rhetoric "irresponsible." 

"As President Biden and Vice President Harris said after yesterday's disturbing news, 'there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country,' and 'we all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence,'" Bates said in a statement. "Violence should only be condemned, never encouraged or joked about. This rhetoric is irresponsible."

Trump told Fox News Digital on Monday that he believes "the rhetoric of Biden and Harris" is what is causing him to be "shot at."

Trump blamed the "combination of rhetoric and lawsuits they wrap me up in," saying "these are the things that dangerous fools" listen to —  "and the same with the first one," he added, referring to the July 13 shooting at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. 

"He believed the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, and he acted on it," Trump said, although investigators have not yet commented on the suspect's possible motive. "Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at, when I am the one who is going to save the country, and they are the ones that are destroying the country"

Trump mentioned Mr. Biden and Harris' comments that he is a "threat to democracy," saying they are the "opposite" of unity leaders.

Routh was charged in federal court on Monday with two firearm offenses, possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and obliterating the serial number on a firearm. Additional charges related to the apparent assassination attempt could come later.

If convicted on the two firearms charges, he could face a maximum sentence of 20 years.

He was questioned by the judge to determine his eligibility for a public defender. He told the court that he has a job that pays $3,000 per month, but when asked whether he has any other assets, he replied that he had "zero funds." He said he has two trucks in Hawaii that are worth about $1,000. And when asked about dependents, he replied that he has a 25-year-old son. The judge appointed a public defender to represent Routh.

Routh's initial appearance in court was brief, just under 10 minutes. He appeared in court in a blue jail-issued jumpsuit and was shackled and handcuffed. His demeanor was very relaxed, despite the gravity of the charges, and he smiled and laughed at times with his lawyer.

The government will ask for pre-trial detention, asserting that Routh is a flight risk and a danger to the community. His bond hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 23. And his probable cause hearing will be Sept. 30.

Trump is taking a break from the campaign trail Monday, but is scheduled to host a town hall in Michigan Tuesday. It will be Trump's first public event after Sunday's apparent assassination attempt. CBS News chief election and campaign correspondent Robert Costa has more in the video below.

Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg said on Sunday night that suspect Ryan Wesley Routh will face federal charges, rather than state charges. He is expected to appear in court Monday morning in Florida.

Trump, who is still at his home in Florida, is expected to meet later Monday with the Secret Service's acting director, sources familiar with the meeting confirmed to CBS News. 

Ronald L. Rowe Jr.  has been the acting director of the Service since July 23, when the former director, Kim Cheatle, resigned after the attempt on Trump's life at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. 

President Biden told reporters Monday morning that the Secret Service "needs more help," and Congress must make sure the agency receives whatever it needs. 

He also expressed gratitude that Trump is safe. 

"Thank God the president's OK," Mr. Biden told reporters on the White House South Lawn Monday morning. "I think we got a full report so far."

"One thing I want to make clear," he continued. "The Service needs more help. And I think that Congress should respond to their needs if they in fact need more service people. So that's what we're going to be talking about."

The president suggested that whether that help means more personnel, more funding or both would be determined. 

Routh was passionate about supporting Ukraine's fight against Russia and traveled to Kyiv in 2022. CBS News' Holly Williams was in contact with him for more than a year in the early stages of the war in Ukraine, which she's covered extensively. They spoke at least once on the phone and texted frequently. Routh put Williams in touch with several foreign fighters.

See more about his history in the video below.