Donald Trump, former US president and Republican candidate for the 2024 election, was rushed to a safe location on Sunday after what the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) referred to as a “Obvious tried homicide” on his golf course in Florida.
The suspected gunman, whom authorities recognized as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, beforehand said on social media that “democracy is on the poll” this 12 months and “we will not lose.” An AK-47 fashion assault rifle, a scope, two backpacks and a GoPro machine on the scene, Palm Seaside County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw confirmed throughout a information convention.
The incident occurred simply two months after a Earlier homicide try in ButlerPennsylvania, the place former President Trump was shot within the ear throughout a marketing campaign rally.
Routh, a North Carolina resident with an intensive prison file, has been vocal about politics and has persistently supported Democratic candidates and causes since 2019.
In one of many interviews, Routh claimed that he had travelled to Ukraine at the start of the conflict with Russia to “struggle” in help of the Ukrainians. He claimed that after arriving in kyiv, he helped recruit folks to participate within the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“We’d like everybody right here to struggle… that is why I am in kyiv, that is why each challenge I promote is geared toward getting folks right here to help Ukrainians,” he mentioned.
He attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State College after which moved to Hawaii round 2018, based on media stories.
The 58-year-old was reportedly a supporter of Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley within the upcoming elections earlier than they determined to withdraw.
In one in all her posts, she urged them to not withdraw their names from the 2024 presidential race: “You possibly can’t hand over. Why? You will need to keep on the poll till the tip. You will need to struggle. Hold giving speeches and pushing till Election Day, irrespective of the end result. Do not hand over. Be part of Nikki and preserve working. By no means hand over,” she wrote, encouraging the previous presidential candidate.
In an April 22 put up on X, she criticized Trump, emphasizing, “Democracy is on the poll and we are able to’t afford to lose,” an analogous slogan generally utilized by President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Routh, in his social media put up, urged President Biden, 81, then working for re-election, to focus his marketing campaign on preserving “American democracy and freedom.” He accused Donald Trump of searching for to “enslave Individuals beneath one grasp.”
“We can’t afford to fail,” Routh continued. “The world is relying on us to indicate them the best way.”