Jonathan Turley, Fox News contributor, discusses the potential charges against Ryan Routh, the suspect in the attempted assassination of former President Trump.
A federal judge has ordered Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Trump earlier this month, to remain in custody. Magistrate Judge Ryon McCabe granted the government's request to detain Routh during a court hearing in Florida.
Routh appeared in court clad in a blue prison jumpsuit, shackled by his hands and feet. He appeared engaged and attentive throughout the hearing.
Ryan Routh Faces Potential Life Sentence as More Charges Looming
The Justice Department has requested that a grand jury indict Routh on the more serious charge of attempted assassination of Trump, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Federal prosecutors told the judge that the government has an audio recording of a jailhouse phone call in which Routh expressed regret for his actions.
In addition to the federal charges, Routh is likely to face additional charges in the coming days from the state of Florida. State Attorney Dave Aronberg has previously stated that Routh could be charged with aggravated assault for allegedly pointing a rifle at a U.S. Secret Service agent and making threats against a former president.
Ryan Routh Faces Potential Life Sentence as More Charges Looming
Routh, according to prosecutors, targeted the former president by waiting for 30 days outside the golf club where Trump was playing a round. He was found carrying a passport, a phone with search history of travel routes, and two bags containing bulletproof plates.
The Justice Department has released a chilling letter written by Routh, which was delivered to a witness several months prior to the assassination attempt. In the letter, Routh discussed his failed attempt and offered a $150,000 reward to anyone who would finish the job.
Ryan Routh Faces Potential Life Sentence as More Charges Looming
Prosecutors have also noted Routh's 2002 conviction for possession of a weapon of mass destruction, described as a "binary explosive device" with a fuse.
During the hearing, Routh's public defender argued that the majority of his over 100 arrests were non-violent, including passing bad checks and the theft of sinks from construction sites.
Ryan Routh Faces Potential Life Sentence as More Charges Looming
In a statement, former President Trump criticized the federal government's handling of the case, stating that Florida charges would be more serious and that the Justice Department and FBI are biased due to ongoing prosecutions against him.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has written to FBI Director Christopher Wray and U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe, urging them not to bring a specific charge against Routh, as it would suspend the state's investigation.
Ryan Routh Faces Potential Life Sentence as More Charges Looming
Both the federal and state governments are conducting investigations into the assassination attempt. It remains to be seen whether the federal government will grant Moody's request and whether there will be cooperation between the two jurisdictions in the prosecution of Routh.
