Routh, 58, appeared in a federal court in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday, following his arrest days earlier. He remains in jail without bail as his case moves through the legal system.
Authorities charged Routh with five federal offenses after he allegedly aimed a rifle through a fence at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf club on September 15.
Prosecutors revealed a chilling letter written by Routh, in which he admitted to failing in his attempt to kill the former president.
In the letter, Routh also offered $150,000 to anyone who could “finish the job,” a note the Department of Justice made public.
The letter criticized Trump’s handling of relations with Iran, stating it had caused chaos in the Middle East. Attorney General Merrick Garland faced backlash from Republicans for releasing the letter, with some claiming it effectively put a “bounty” on Trump’s life.
Further investigation revealed that Routh had a list of Trump’s upcoming public appearances and had searched for a route from Palm Beach to Mexico. He is expected to return to court for a detention hearing as the case unfolds.
Court documents detail how a Secret Service agent spotted Routh near the 6th hole of Trump’s golf course, where he allegedly had a rifle. The agent fired at Routh, but Routh fled the scene.
Law enforcement later found six cellphones, gloves, and a list of Trump’s scheduled appearances in Routh’s nearby vehicle.
