Live updates on second apparent Trump assassination attempt

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, I had go 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 has 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, 7.62×39 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 7.62×39 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.