Ryan Wesley Routh, who was arrested in Florida for allegedly attempting to assassinate Donald Trump while he was golfing, is facing charges related to improperly possessing a gun, federal prosecutors announced. Routh, a felon, could face up to 15 years in prison for possessing a firearm as a felon and up to five years for possessing a firearm with a defaced serial number. The FBI traced Routh to the scene using cellphone data, revealing he spent nearly 12 hours near the golf course. Trump has blamed Biden and Harris for the incident, saying their rhetoric incited the violence. Routh’s license plate was linked to a stolen car, and he had a prior conviction for possessing a weapon of mass destruction in North Carolina.
In response to the incident, Biden called for more Secret Service resources, while Harris expressed concern over the assassination attempt. Trump, on his preferred social media platform, condemned the Democrats and solicited campaign donations following the incident. In an interview, Trump accused Biden and Harris of causing him to be shot at, linking the assassination attempts to their anti-democratic warnings about him. The sheriff’s department released a photo of Routh following his arrest, showing a calm demeanor despite the serious charges against him. This incident highlights the divisive political climate in the country and the potential consequences of inflammatory rhetoric on public safety.
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