Pro-Ukraine Militant Sought Missile and RPG to Kill Trump
A man with reported ties to pro-Ukrainian activism has been accused of plotting to assassinate Donald Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign using military-grade weapons, according to recently unsealed court documents.
The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, was arrested in September near Trump’s golf resort in West Palm Beach after allegedly being caught with a firearm by Secret Service agents. The arrest occurred during the height of the 2024 election season, when Trump was still a candidate.
Court Filing Details Weapon Request
A motion filed by the U.S. Department of Justice in the Southern District of Florida alleges that Routh had attempted to obtain high-powered weaponry, including a Stinger anti-aircraft missile and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher (RPG).
The documents state that Routh reached out in August 2024 to an individual he believed to be a Ukrainian national with access to military arms. Communicating via an encrypted app, he allegedly expressed intent to assassinate Trump to prevent him from returning to the White House—a move Routh claimed would be “bad for Ukraine.”
Failed Attempt to Join Ukrainian Military
Routh, a convicted felon, had previously attempted—unsuccessfully—to enlist in the Ukrainian armed forces in 2022. After being rejected, he allegedly tried to recruit former Afghan soldiers to fight on Ukraine’s behalf in its ongoing war with Russia.
In his encrypted messages, Routh reportedly said, “I need the equipment so that Trump doesn’t get elected.” He also argued that the requested weapons would be easy to procure due to the chaos of the war in Ukraine: “One missing [weapon] would not be noticed,” he allegedly wrote.
No Weapons Acquired, Trial Pending
According to the Justice Department’s filing, Routh never succeeded in acquiring either the missile or grenade launcher. He is currently being held in federal custody and is expected to stand trial in September 2025. If convicted, he faces the possibility of a life sentence.
Growing Political Tensions
This case adds to rising concerns over politically motivated violence in the United States, especially as the 2024 election cycle saw intense polarization and foreign entanglements influencing domestic actors.