(TheProudRepublic.com) – In a bombshell disclosure, the FBI has revealed that it received a tip about Ryan Wesley Routh, the second would-be assassin of Donald Trump, as early as 2019.
At the time, Routh was reported to be in possession of a firearm despite being a convicted felon, was reported to be in possession of a firearm.
This information was disclosed by the FBI during a press conference held on Monday, The New York Post reports.
Jeffrey Veltri, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Miami field office, led the announcement.
He revealed that at the time the report was filed, Routh was residing in Hawaii.
Despite efforts, the FBI could not substantiate the allegations made against Routh.
“In following up on the tip, the alleged complainant was interviewed and did not verify providing the initial information,” Veltri stated during the press briefing.
Following this, the FBI communicated what they had learned to the local law enforcement authorities in Honolulu.
The situation escalated on Sunday when Routh, aged 58, was detected approximately 400-500 yards from former President Donald Trump, who was at the time engaged in a game of golf at his course in Palm Beach, Florida.
The proximity to Trump triggered a response from a Secret Service agent who spotted the muzzle of a gun protruding through a fence. The agent took immediate action against the potential assailant.
Following this incident, law enforcement quickly engaged in a pursuit that resulted in Routh’s capture.
He faced federal gun charges in court on Monday, where he was observed smiling.
The near-tragic incident occurred when Trump was on the fifth hole of the golf course, and Secret Service snipers spotted Routh’s gun barrel through a fence between the sixth and seventh holes, prompting them to open fire.
Meanwhile, another report revealed that Routh used a security lapse that photographers have exploited for years to take pictures of Donald Trump.
Secret Service agents, when they do spot a photographer near the course, seldom interact, and even when they do, they might briefly check credentials and move on.
The security team is also quite visible when approaching on their golf carts, which allows photographers to remain undetected until necessary.
The outer perimeter of the course, despite being marked with “No Trespassing” signs, poses little challenge to photographers or potential threats who wish to capture images from just behind these signs.
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