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Ryan Routh, who was arrested near Trump's golf course in Florida, is charged with attempted assassination

Ryan Routh, who was arrested near Trump's golf course in Florida, is charged with attempted assassination

Federal prosecutors have charged the man seen with a gun outside one of Donald Trump's golf courses with attempted murder of a presidential candidate.

The indictment unsealed Tuesday accuses Ryan Wesley Routh of “intentionally attempting to kill” former President of the United States Donald J. Trump, a major presidential candidate, while walking near Trump's golf course in West Palm Beach , Florida, camped on September 15th. The charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison if he is convicted.

Two additional charges were also added: possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer.

Routh was previously charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an erased serial number.

Ryan Wesley Routh after his arrest
Ryan Wesley Routh after his arrest in Martin County, Florida, on September 15th.Martin County Sheriff's Office via AFP – Getty Images

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, the Trump nominee who this year dismissed the case against him over secret criminal documents. The Justice Department said a grand jury in Miami returned the indictment with the additional charges late Tuesday afternoon.

Trump accused the Justice Department in a statement Monday of “downplaying” the alleged assassination plot and suggested that state officials in Florida should take over the case.

“The Kamala Harris/Joe Biden Justice Department and FBI are mishandling and downplaying the second attempt on my life since July. “The charges brought against the mad assassin are a slap on the wrist,” Trump said in the statement, claiming they had a conflict of interest “since they have been obsessed with 'getting Trump' for so long.”

Federal prosecutors had indicated at Routh's court appearance Monday that additional charges would be filed. Additional evidence they allegedly collected included a handwritten note from Routh to The World that said, “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but I failed you.”

Routh, 58, from Hawaii, was ordered held without bail pending trial. He was not charged. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement Tuesday: “Violence against public officials endangers everything our country stands for, and the Justice Department will use every tool available to hold Ryan Routh accountable.”

“This has to stop,” Garland said.

Trump was assassinated in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July. The Secret Service killed the gunman after he opened fire on Trump at a campaign rally, with a bullet hitting his right ear.

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