The man arrested for plotting to assassinate Donald Trump while he was golfing in Florida may have received inside information about the former president’s schedule, according to a former FBI official, who described the possibility as “scary.”
Chris Swecker, a retired FBI assistant director, told Newsweek that federal agents and other law enforcement agencies are investigating how the suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, seemingly knew Trump would be at his West Palm Beach, Fla., golf club on Sunday.
“The biggest question that needs answering is: ‘How did the would-be assassin know to be at that location at that time?’” said Swecker, who has extensive experience in FBI criminal investigations.
“There are only three possible explanations: He made a lucky guess; he conducted surveillance and followed Trump to the golf course; or he had inside information regarding Trump’s schedule.”
He continued, “The third possibility is frightening, as it suggests someone else may have been involved.”
Routh, a resident of Hawaii, was apprehended after Secret Service agents, positioned a few holes ahead of the 78-year-old former president, spotted the muzzle of an AK-style rifle protruding from the bushes lining the course on Sunday afternoon, authorities reported.
The alleged shooter, who was reportedly armed with the rifle and had a GoPro camera seemingly set up to capture the attempted assassination, managed to position himself between 300 and 500 yards from Trump.
The FBI is leading the investigation and is working to uncover any possible motive, authorities said.
Despite an increase in security since the last attempt on Trump’s life in July, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw noted that Trump’s protection remained relatively light because he is not currently a sitting president.
“If Trump were still president, the entire golf course would have been lined with law enforcement,” Bradshaw explained.
“I suspect that next time he visits the golf course, there will likely be more people around the perimeter,” he added.
“But the Secret Service did exactly what they were supposed to do.”
Swecker described the suspect as an apparent “wing nut” with a deep-seated disdain for authority. This assessment came after it was revealed that Routh had previously voiced anti-Trump sentiments on social media and commented on threats to democracy.
“We know this suspect has made posts about Trump being a danger to democracy and has been involved in some bizarre missions: for instance, traveling to Ukraine to try to recruit Afghan fighters. So, his motive is becoming clearer — he’s a wing nut who doesn’t respect authority, as shown by his past arrest for resisting arrest during a two-hour standoff,” Swecker remarked.
Over the years, Routh has had several legal issues — including a standoff with police in 2002, which led to his conviction for possessing a “weapon of mass destruction,” according to online records.
{Matzav.com}
