Writing on X, then called Twitter, in June 2020, he said: "@realDonaldTrump While you were my choice in 2016, I and the world hoped that president Trump would be different and better than the candidate... Trump voter.
The shooter, Ryan Routh, appears to not be right in the head. He should have been locked up in an institution for treatment a long time ago. His armed standoff with police in 2002 -- as outlined by a former employee below -- is just one example of behavior indicating that Routh needed treatment for mental illness. Routh's social media posts are all over the place from a political perspective -- showing an evolution from supporting Trump in 2016 to being strongly against Trump recently. Over time Routh made numerous false claims including that he was part of the International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine. 'The International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine told ABC News via email: "We would like to clarify that Ryan Wesley Routh has never been part of, associated with, or linked to the International Legion in any capacity. Any claims or suggestions indicating otherwise are entirely inaccurate."' Ryan Wesley Routh: What we know about suspect in Trump 'attempted assassination' The 58-year-old had a significant social media presence. https://abcnews.go.com/US/suspect-trump-attempted-assassination-ryan-wesley-routh/story?id=113720624 Trump would-be assassin Ryan Wesley Routh was crazy but 'no one cared', says journalist who interviewed him https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...sassin-ryan-wesley-roth-crazy-journalist.html Ryan Routh’s Twitter/X posts reveal his politics – before suspected Trump assassination attempt Suspect Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was vocal about politics on his social media accounts and posts suggested he voted for Trump in 2016 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...an-wesley-routh-twitter-x-posts-b2613498.html Former employee of Trump shooting suspect recalls police standoff and penchant for ‘stupid’ behavior EXCLUSIVE: ‘I don’t know what he was thinking,’ Tina Cooper tells The Independent of her former employer Ryan Wesley Routh, who is accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump. She’d worked for Routh in 2002 when he’d been arrested after a three-hour long police standoff https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...-trump-suspect-shooting-florida-b2613376.html
It's going to be interesting to see if they can prove this was indeed an assassination attempt. If the guy recorded nothing about assassinating Trump and never even pointed a gun at Trump is there enough evidence to prosecute him for what we all think he was there for?
As usual.....seeking someone to blame. Trump hits Kamala Harris as cause of assassination attempt Former President Donald Trump blamed Vice President Kamala Harris for the assassination attempts on him while speaking to Fox News on Monday — demanding a de-escalation of "rhetoric," while at the same time escalating his own language against her. "He believed the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, and he acted on it," said Trump while speaking to Fox News Digital. "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 — both from the inside and out."
Well, since the vast majority of Jan 6 defendants committed no crime, then yes, they would be able to charge this guy.
They are only charging Routh with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. In this case, these are easy charges to prove and still carry lengthy possible prison terms. There is no need to focus on "intent" to have these charges stick -- only need to prove that the gun was in his possession before he fled. "On Monday, the judge read the penalties for each charge. The first offense carried a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and supervised release. The second offense carried a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and supervised release. Routh responded "yes" when asked if he understood the penalties." Trump assassination attempt suspect laughs, smiles during first court appearance in Florida Ryan Wesley Routh smiles and laughs ahead of first federal court appearance https://www.foxnews.com/politics/tr...-smiles-during-first-court-appearance-florida
Oh----and one more thing-----He was a Biden Harris supporter and donor and also voted in this year's Dem primary.