Former President Donald Trump narrowly avoided another assassination attempt during a golf outing at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday, when Secret Service agents spotted a sniper’s rifle aimed in Trump’s direction, raising concerns about how close the would-be attacker came to carrying out his plan.

Authorities are investigating the security breach that allowed Ryan Routh, a convicted felon, to get within 500 yards of Trump with a sniper rifle, adding to existing questions and concerns about Secret Service protocols and competency, as the Daily Mail reports.

Routh, a construction worker with a criminal record dating back to 1998, had been in the area for more than 12 hours before the incident. He was found equipped with a scoped rifle, backpacks containing ceramic tiles, and a GoPro camera, indicating his actions were premeditated.

While Routh never had Trump in his line of sight, according to the FBI, his proximity to the former president has sparked concern over serious security lapses.

Sniper Armed And Positioned To Strike

The incident began when Trump was on the fifth fairway, enjoying a round of golf with real estate investor Steve Witkoff. A Secret Service agent noticed the barrel of a rifle near the sixth hole and quickly alerted authorities. The suspect was identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, who had set up a sniper nest nearby.

Routh had prepared for the attack, bringing two backpacks filled with supplies and positioning himself with a modified SKS-style rifle. Despite his preparations, Routh never fired a shot. Authorities speculate that the rapid response from Secret Service agents may have thwarted the attack before it could begin.

Security Gaps And Lack Of Prior Sweeps

Trump’s golf outing had not been part of his public schedule, which meant that the Secret Service had not conducted prior security sweeps of the golf course. The lack of advance notice may have contributed to Routh’s ability to get within striking distance of the former president undetected for so long. Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe acknowledged this, saying, "The president wasn’t even really supposed to go there."

Routh managed to flee the scene when a Secret Service agent opened fire, but he was captured by local law enforcement less than an hour later. His vehicle was located not far from the golf course, and he was taken into custody without further incident.

Questions Raised About Security Lapses

The fact that Routh had been in the area for over 12 hours before the attempt raises concerns about how such a significant threat went unnoticed. Former FBI Director Chris Swecker posed an unsettling question: “How did the would-be assassin know to be at that location at that time?”

Swecker suggested three possible explanations, none of which provide comfort to security officials. He noted that Routh could have either guessed Trump’s location, conducted surveillance or had inside information. The last possibility is especially troubling, as it would imply that someone within Trump’s circle may have provided Routh with the details necessary to carry out the attack.

Previous Attempt On Trump’s Life Adds Pressure

This was not the first time Trump has been the target of an assassination attempt. Just two months ago, another attempt was made on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania. That incident has led to ongoing calls for tighter security measures, and this latest attempt will likely add to those demands.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw defended the response by authorities, saying, “Look, at the end of the day, the system worked.” However, many are still questioning how a man with Routh’s criminal background was able to acquire a firearm and get so close to the former president without being detected earlier.

Complex Background Of The Would-Be Assassin

Routh’s political affiliations and motivations are equally perplexing. While he supported Trump in 2016, he had since turned against the former president, even expressing support for Nikki Haley in the 2024 election.

His political contradictions have left investigators wondering about his true motivations. Furthermore, Routh had been involved in the Ukrainian war effort, adding another layer of complexity to his background.

His son, Oran Routh, was candid about his father’s animosity toward Trump, stating, “Routh hated Trump as ‘every reasonable person does.’” Meanwhile, Chelsea Walsh, a nurse who met Routh in Kyiv, shared that his violent tendencies had concerned her so much that she had reported him to a Customs and Border Protection officer.

Ongoing Investigations Into The Security Failure

Investigations into Routh’s background and the security failures that allowed him to get so close to Trump are now underway. Both the FBI and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration are looking into the incident, with many calling for accountability and answers to prevent future attacks.

As authorities delve deeper into the case, more questions are likely to arise, particularly regarding Routh’s ability to obtain a firearm despite his felony record. This latest incident, combined with the previous attempt on Trump’s life, underscores the urgent need for improved security protocols moving forward.

While Trump was not injured and no shots were fired, the fact that Routh was able to come so close to achieving his objective has shaken many within the former president’s circle. The coming days will likely bring further revelations, as investigators continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding the attempted attack.