The man arrested in connection with a suspected conspiracy to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, was seen laughing and smiling when he appeared in federal court on Tuesday morning.
Ryan Rouse, 58, asked how his day was going.
The hearing, considered an AK-47 Routh, was reportedly intended to be used to kill Trump on a golf course in Florida, but ended without decision.
Trump’s assassination suspect, Ryan Rouse, was arrested on September 15, 2024 on suspicion of attempted assassination of a presidential candidate in Palm Beach County, Florida. (Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office)
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Defense and prosecutors were debated in front of U.S. District Judge Irene Cannon for the Southern District of Florida.
Routh’s defense attorneys are seeking a unique, independent analysis of whether the gun was fired if Routh pulled the trigger, and whether the distance of the bullet fired from the gun was sufficient to hit the Trumps. The defense believes that if the gun is not fired or the bullet cannot strike Trump from the extent that it was fired, then Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors cannot prove that Rous is planning to kill Trump.
“If he knew it was not likely to hit the target, it would deny the intent,” claimed Routh official defenders Kristy Militello and Renee Sihvola.
Federal prosecutors say the gun was successful when it was tested on the scene, and it also happened when it was later tested by an FBI expert in Quantico, Virginia. They say the test is more than enough to prove Rous’ intentions.
Law enforcement officials work at a crime scene outside Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida on September 16, 2024. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)
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However, defense still has questions about the range of weapons and wants to have someone with experience with SWAT, a unique expert in testing guns.
Prosecutors said that it is not possible because weapons must be tested within federal facilities by someone who has no access to such facilities.
Defense will have the opportunity to see all the evidence from next week’s incident when it visits the FBI Field Office in Miramar, Florida.
The case comes from September 15th, when Secret Service agents noticed that AK-47 barrels were piercing the chain link fence in several holes where Trump plays at Trump International Golf Club. The agent abandoned the weapons and GoPro cameras and fired at the Routh, who escaped in an SUV, authorities said. He was captured shortly afterwards.
He later pleaded not guilty to five federal charges, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate.
Assassin Ryan Rouse has been arrested by Florida law enforcement.
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In December, Routh was hit with attempted felony murder charges stemming from the chaotic aftermath of his uncertainty. Florida Interstate 95 was shut down for pursuit and allegedly caused a car accident that injured a young girl.
Last week, Routh was accused by federal prosecutors of trying to obtain a rocket launcher from a Ukrainian contact as part of the assassination plot.
Routh says to his teammates, “Send RPGs.” [rocket-propelled grenade] Or Stinger, and I’ll see what we can do… [Trump] It’s not good for Ukraine, according to court documents obtained by Fox News.
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The two discussed Routh’s buying options, but Routh asked if his companions could “ship it to me.” Before explaining his intentions for military-grade weapons, he said, “We need equipment to prevent Trump from being elected.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Routh’s lawyer.
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and Jake Gibson of Fox News contributed to this report.
