AP Report Highlights Warning Signs Ignored Before Trump Assassination Attempt by Ryan Routh

At least four times, tips were made to US government agencies, including the FBI and State Department, raising concerns about a man now accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump. The actions taken in response to these warnings, which might have stopped Ryan Routh or at least increased scrutiny on him, remain unclear. Some individuals are questioning whether enough was done.

Nurse Chelsea Walsh reported Routh's violent behaviour in 2022 while he recruited foreign soldiers for the Ukraine war. "The authorities have definitely dropped the ball on this," she said. "They were warned." Walsh met Routh in Kyiv in 2022 when she was a nurse and aid worker. She observed his increasing anger and erratic behaviour, including kicking a panhandler and threatening to burn down a music studio.

Concerns Raised by Multiple Reports

Walsh's account is one of at least four reports to the US government that raised suspicions about Routh before his arrest. Other reports included a 2019 tip to the FBI about Routh possessing a firearm after a felony conviction. An aid worker also reported his military recruiting tactics to the State Department last year. Additionally, Routh's interview with Customs and Border Protection led to a referral for possible inquiry by Homeland Security Investigations.

Sarah Adams, an ex-CIA officer, submitted a tip to the State Department after learning Routh was recruiting former Afghan fighters with false promises of positions in the Ukrainian military. She drafted a bulletin urging humanitarian aid groups in Ukraine to avoid Routh and had her company send an online report to the State Department. "There was plenty to look into," said Adams, who resides in Tampa, Florida.

Routh's Activities Under Scrutiny

In June 2023, Customs and Border Protection agents questioned Routh at Honolulu airport upon his return from Ukraine, Poland, and Turkey. He discussed recruiting fighters from Afghanistan, Moldova, and Taiwan, claiming his wife funded his efforts. He presented a business card identifying him as the director of the International Volunteer Center.

The agents referred Routh's case to Homeland Security Investigations for further examination. However, it declined to pursue the matter. In congressional testimony, Katrina Berger, executive associate director of Homeland Security Investigations, stated that they receive hundreds of such requests daily. She mentioned that Routh's comments did not warrant immediate custody.

Federal Agencies' Response Questioned

The agencies involved either did not respond to queries or lacked records of such reports. This has led some people to question whether federal agencies are vigilant or equipped enough to handle potential threats brought to their attention daily. Republican Sen Chuck Grassley of Iowa stated, "Federal agencies ought to be on the highest alert to detect and combat these threats."

Walsh reported her concerns about Routh during an hour-long interview with US Customs and Border Protection officials at Dulles International Airport near Washington in June 2022. She later repeated her concerns in separate tips to both the FBI and Interpol but never received feedback on her reports.

Customs and Border Protection could not confirm Walsh's meeting with its agents due to its policy of not commenting on individual cases. The FBI also declined confirmation citing ongoing investigations, while Interpol did not respond to requests for comment.

Routh's actions have raised questions about whether federal agencies are adequately addressing potential threats. Despite multiple warnings over several years, it remains unclear what measures were taken in response.