Man arrested in apparent Trump assassination appears in federal court Monday

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A gunman who was arrested in an apparent assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump at his golf course in West Palm Beach on Sunday made his first appearance in federal court Monday morning.

Ryan W Routh, 58, was in custody and at the Paul G. Rogers Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in West Palm Beach, appearing before Judge Ryon M. McCabe. Slender and with a full head of dyed-blonde hair, Routh wore a beige inmate uniform and cuffs on his wrists and ankles as he waited for the court to take up his case.

Routh will likely be charged for now by a FBI criminal complaint and affidavit that will spell out his alleged attempt to try to assassinate Trump. The first appearance in West Palm Beach federal court will likely entail questions about who is going to legally represent Routh.

He could either hire his own attorney, or one could be appointed by the magistrate judge.

If it is determined that he doesn’t have enough money to afford a lawyer, the judge might appoint the federal public defender’s office to represent him.

Routh is not expected to enter a plea Monday to any charges, because in federal court he can only be arraigned by an indictment, which would be pending before a grand jury. Additionally, he can not enter a plea without a permanent lawyer representing him.

These types of hearings are routine in federal court for any defendant. Routh is likely to be charged with making threats against a former president, or a candidate for president who is protected by the Secret Service.

The federal statute carries up to five years in prison, but because he was allegedly carrying an AK-47-style weapon in the attempt on the former president’s life, he could be facing additional charges. Moreover, court records indicate that Routh has a criminal history. If he is a felon, he could face additional charges, such as a felon in possession of a firearm.