According to Fox News, a Secret Service agent missed six shots from just five feet away while attempting to apprehend Ryan Routh, the alleged would-be assassin of President-elect Donald Trump. The revelation has sparked questions about agency readiness and raised concerns over security measures leading up to the incident.
The agent who spotted Ryan Routh hiding in the bushes outside Trump’s golf course was only five feet away when he opened fire,” Fox News host Jesse Watters reported, citing the latest bombshell revelation from the House task force investigation into the two assassination attempts on Trump. “How does a trained agent who passed the firearms test miss a target five feet away?” Watters asked rhetorically, emphasizing the severity of the security lapse.
NEW: The Secret Service Agent who spotted Ryan Routh missed six shots from five feet away, according to Fox News.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 12, 2024
“The Secret Service agent who spotted Ryan Routh in the bushes outside Trump's golf course was only five feet away…”
“[The agent] missed him six times from five… pic.twitter.com/aSQVC7GOJP
Security Failures in Spotlight
Watters further detailed a sequence of security oversights, noting that the Secret Service learned at 2:30 a.m. on Sept. 15 that Trump would be golfing later that day at his West Palm Beach course. However, the agency failed to secure the grounds, allowing Routh to allegedly camp outside the fence at the sixth hole.
Prosecutors said Routh, 58, was positioned with a semiautomatic rifle outfitted with a scope, aiming at the sixth hole where Trump’s group would pass. At the time of his discovery by the agent, the weapon was loaded with a bullet in the chamber and 11 additional rounds. Routh managed to flee after the agent opened fire but was captured 50 minutes later on Interstate 95 by deputies from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
BREAKING: Bodycam footage of Ryan Wesley Routh's arrest has been released.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 16, 2024
Routh was reportedly on the golf course for 12 hours leading up to the incident.
Martin County Sheriff Will Snyder suggested on Monday that Routh could be part of a conspiracy.
"How does a guy from not… pic.twitter.com/RWSjP3B411
Evidence and Motive
Investigators recovered extensive evidence linking Routh to the assassination plot. A fingerprint was found on the rifle abandoned at the scene, alongside a letter at his home predicting the failure of his plan and a $150,000 bounty on Trump’s life. A search of Routh’s vehicle uncovered multiple cell phones, a search history including directions to Mexico, extra license plates and other items indicating preparation for an escape.
Authorities also revealed that Routh had tracked Trump’s public appearances throughout August, September and October 2024. Prosecutors also introduced testimony from a witness who received a box from Routh containing ammunition, building materials and correspondence related to his plans.
A Chilling Jailhouse Letter
In a four-page jailhouse letter sent to a Politico reporter, Routh referred to Trump as a “dictator,” echoing rhetoric used by critics of Trump’s campaign and leadership style. The letter further fueled speculation about the political motivations behind the alleged attack.
Routh, who has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, remains detained without bail at the Miami-Dade County Pre-Trial Detention Center. He faces the possibility of life imprisonment if convicted.
Calls for Accountability
The errors by the Secret Service, including the agent’s remarkably poor aim, have only increased scrutiny of the agency’s protocols.
Nearly all observers agree that the lapses highlight the need for comprehensive reforms to ensure the safety of high-profile figures, particularly the president.
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I’m surprised the Secret Service would publicize
the trials and tribulations of agent Magoo!
He most likely didn’t want the DOJ to prosecute, oops slip of finger, I meant persecute for shooting one of their assassins..
This entire story stinks like a rotten fish. THEY…. DON’T…. MISS….. Unless they mean to. KNOW that.
Of course, the SS agent missed all 6 shots on purpose.
What a misleading article! The included picture is from the Pennsylvania sniper event. Shame on you.
Jesse is probably not qualified to be the one making these statements. Shooting at a subject that may shoot you, thru a chain link fence, with two bullet proof vests hanging between you while he flees thru the shrubbery in a split second is not as simple as Watters thinks. Easy to criticize when you sit at a desk and read prepared text off a monitor for a living.
A picture of the Butler County PA sniper team and a story about the Mar-a-Lago event? Pretty cheesy journalism.