Prosecutors delivered their closing arguments in the federal trial of Ryan Routh, who stands accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump in September 2024. The prosecution called FBI Supervisory Special Agent Kimberly McGreevy as their final witness. Her testimony painted a detailed picture of a well-prepared plot to attack the former president.
McGreevy detailed a range of evidence, including financial records, phone data, and surveillance footage tracking Routh’s movements from Hawaii to Florida before the alleged assassination attempt. Notably, a handwritten note was presented in which Routh expressed regrets for failing in his efforts. “Dear World,” he reportedly wrote, “this was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but I am so sorry I failed you… it’s up to you now to complete the job.” This ominous letter also offered a $150,000 reward for anyone willing to complete the job.
Further complicating Routh’s defense, McGreevy outlined financial transactions involving Routh, his daughter Sara, and son Adam. The court was shown evidence of a deposit made into Sara’s account shortly before the assassination attempt, followed by a significant transfer to another account in her name. Evidence of Venmo transactions provided insight into the flow of money between Routh and his daughter.
Substantial phone records emerged in court, revealing Routh’s extensive web searches regarding Trump’s campaign schedule, rally locations, golf courses, and specific personal details. On September 4, 2024, he searched for information such as “how many bullets does an SKS rifle hold?” and browsed numerous images of firearms. Jurors also viewed a text exchange where Routh communicated with an individual named Vladmir. When an aerial image was sent, Vladmir inquired, “Palm Beach, yours?” to which Routh replied, “Trump’s plane. He gets on and off every day.”
McGreevy testified that Routh had set up a base of operations at a truck stop in South Bay, Florida, from August 14 to September 15. Receipts confirmed he paid for overnight parking in cash. Additional body camera footage from a welfare check at the truck stop showed Routh dressed casually. His attire, which included madras-print shorts, matched what was later seen in surveillance footage as he watched Trump’s plane depart.
In another key piece of evidence, license plate reader data captured Routh’s vehicle in the Palm Beach area on multiple occasions leading up to the incident. Routh’s black Nissan Xterra was traced to the vicinity several times, reinforcing the prosecution’s narrative of premeditated action. One reading connected the car to Sara Routh, while others were linked to vehicles that appeared involved in the investigation.
Visual evidence included a photo from one of Routh’s burner phones showing a map of the 14th hole at Trump’s golf course. This map had multiple pins indicating potential target points. In a chilling revelation, investigators found a photograph featuring an SKS rifle placed in a tree at the same spot, underscoring the seriousness of Routh’s intentions.
Inside the courtroom, Routh maintained an unusual demeanor. Described as smiling and casually dressed in a blue suit coat, white shirt, and red striped tie, he seemed relaxed. His daughter, Sara, sat in the courtroom taking notes, the only family member present to support him. Routh took notes himself and seemed unfazed, grinning when testimony indicated he paid for hardware supplies in cash.
The trial is now entering a critical phase. With the prosecution resting its case, the defense team is preparing to call witnesses in the coming weeks. The stakes are high as jurors reflect on the compelling evidence presented, navigating the cloud of emotions surrounding such a serious allegation: an attempt to assassinate a former president.
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