Staff Reports
The failed attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life by Ryan Routh has been met with the same enthusiasm one has when trying to drink soup with a fork: lots of noise and not much to show for it. Routh, who is currently in jail awaiting a bond hearing, has reportedly been charged with two felony firearms violations. However, prosecutors are facing potential difficulties in actually proving their case against him. As it stands, the most serious charge, attempted murder, may end up being nothing more than a wishful thought for disgruntled leftists.
To set the scene, Routh was allegedly lurking in the bushes near the sixth hole of the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, rifle in hand, plotting who-knows-what. The only problem? He never actually fired a shot. He was observed several hundred yards away from the former president, in what can only be described as the world’s worst assassination attempt—akin to bringing a spoon to a knife fight. For any legal determination of attempted murder, authorities must establish that Routh not only plotted to kill Trump but also took concrete steps towards making that plot a reality. Good luck with that.
🇺🇸 Conviction Won't Be Simple For Attempted Assassination
▫Gunman never had line of sight of Trump
▫@susanferrechio
👉 https://t.co/Ixh4GpeOjc 👈#frontpagestoday #USA @WashTimes 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ITxd0B37FY— 𝙵𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚝 𝙿𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚜 𝚃𝚘𝚍𝚊𝚢 📰 (@ukpapers) September 20, 2024
Routh’s defense attorney has pointed out that proving attempted murder in this case isn’t exactly a walk in the park. The FBI needs to show that the so-called sniper was not just hanging out in the bushes with a rifle for fun but that he actually had his sights set on the former president. In a twist worthy of a Hollywood script, local law enforcement has a job ahead of them that seems more complicated than untangling a pair of earbuds after a vigorous workout.
Another layer of comedy emerges when reviewing the evidence. Routh’s social media posts are littered with rants against Trump and praises for far-left figures like Kamala Harris. It almost looks like he was trying to outdo the late-night hosts for melodrama. Federal investigators are busy sorting through Routh’s various devices, including a digital camera and ceramic tiles—perhaps he was planning a Pinterest-inspired DIY project instead of an assassination.
As this circus unfolds, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has jumped on board, stating that the state will conduct its own investigation. This may be just another opportunity for the left to hurl accusations of collusion while DeSantis works to ensure justice, even if it seems the only thing Routh excelled at was poor planning. Meanwhile, the county prosecutor has indicated that the most viable charge might end up being aggravated assault against a Secret Service agent—an indication that this entire affair might be a better story for a blooper reel than a gripping crime drama.
In the end, it seems both state and federal lawyers face a monumental uphill battle to piece together a compelling case against Routh. While this story might send a chill down the spines of those on the left, it isn’t too likely to gain the traction they hoped for. A lot of bluster, a boatload of “what ifs,” but at the end of the day, it looks like Routh may end up with a defense that could fit nicely into a “how not to attempt murder” instruction manual.
