Trump Assassination Attempt Ryan Wesley Routh

Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old man arrested on Sunday for an alleged attempt to assassinate former President Donald J. Trump, had previously expressed a desire to fight in Ukraine. Routh, who had posted inflammatory and violent rhetoric on social media, claimed he was willing to travel to Ukraine and join the conflict following Russia’s 2022 invasion.

In posts on X (formerly Twitter), Routh stated, "I AM WILLING TO FLY TO KRAKOW AND GO TO THE BORDER OF UKRAINE TO VOLUNTEER AND FIGHT AND DIE." He was also active on Signal, where his profile biography urged civilians to intervene in wars, and on WhatsApp, where his bio referenced the importance of supporting human rights, freedom, and democracy.

A former roofing contractor from Greensboro, North Carolina, Routh had no military experience but was interviewed by The New York Times in 2023 for an article about Americans aiding the Ukrainian war effort. During the interview, Routh spoke confidently about his plans to recruit Afghan soldiers to join the fight in Ukraine, despite lacking formal connections or experience. He had traveled to Ukraine shortly after Russia's invasion, intending to move Afghan soldiers from Pakistan and Iran, sometimes through illegal means. Routh claimed that dozens of these soldiers were interested in joining the war effort.

While his ambitions appeared lofty, Routh exhibited little tolerance for opposition. In one exchange with an American foreign fighter, Routh reportedly remarked, “he needs to be shot” when the fighter’s tone seemed dismissive. He also claimed to have met with officials at the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe to advocate for more aid to Ukraine.

Although it is unclear if Routh followed through on his plans, one former Afghan soldier confirmed that Routh had reached out to him about joining the Ukrainian conflict.

This was not Routh’s first brush with the law. According to local reports, a man matching Routh’s description was arrested in 2002 after barricading himself in a building with a fully automatic weapon in Greensboro, N.C. He was charged with possession of a machine gun and carrying a concealed weapon, though the final resolution of these charges remains unclear.

In recent years, Routh relocated to Hawaii, where he reportedly operated a small business. His social media presence continued to feature political commentary, including admiration for former Representative Tulsi Gabbard. In one 2020 post, Routh suggested that he could mediate disputes between the U.S. and North Korea, even offering an invitation for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to vacation in Hawaii.

When authorities apprehended Routh on Interstate 95 following Sunday’s incident, he remained calm and did not resist arrest. Sheriff William D. Snyder of Martin County stated that Routh was unarmed at the time of the arrest and did not inquire about the reason for his detention. Further details about his intentions in connection with the alleged assassination attempt remain under investigation.