WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The man who investigators say tried to assassinate former president Donald Trump last weekend will stay in custody while awaiting trial.
In a hand-written note, a man who Secret Service agents spotted pointing a rifle at former president Donald Trump’s golf course admits, “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but I failed you.”
The letter even offered up a reward for someone to “finish the job.”
It’s part of new evidence the Department of Justice released in its case against Ryan Routh on Monday.
The DOJ says he left that letter in a box at a friend’s, before traveling to West Palm Beach in mid-August.
Cellphone records indicate Routh was near Trump’s golf club and the former president’s Mar-a-Lago residence, “on multiple days and times” between August 18 and the day of the apparent attempted assassination.
The DOJ also says it found a list of Trump’s schedule in Routh’s car.
The Secret Service says when it came to stopping the would-be assassin in Florida the protocols worked.
“That situation was managed, according to our training,” Ronald Rowe, Acting Secret Service Director said.
Acting Director Ronald Rowe says Trump now has the same level of protection as President Joe Biden.
“We’re at a pivotal moment in the history of the Secret Service and at a pivotal moment in the history of our country,” Rowe said.
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In a statement Monday afternoon, Trump called for more charges to be filed against Routh.
“The charges brought against the maniac assassin are a slap on the wrist,” he wrote.
Right now, Routh faces federal gun charges.
“The threat is not going to evaporate anytime soon,” Rowe said.
