The unsettling revelation that an alleged assassin may have been staking out former President Donald Trump for a full 12 hours has sparked concern among security experts.
Frank Figliuzzi, a former FBI assistant director for counterintelligence, expressed his alarm over the situation. The claim that Ryan Routh, the alleged assailant, was lying in wait with a high-powered rifle and scope is based on geolocation data from his cellphone.
According to Newsweek, Figliuzzi voiced his concerns, stating, "Lying in wait for 12 hours without detection, within rifle range of a protectee is deeply troubling." He further criticized the security protocol, arguing that it needs to change, given the high threat level. "I understand Trump's [golf] outing was off the record and unscheduled and therefore the Secret Service felt they did not need to conduct a high-level advance, but this protocol needs to change. The threat is too high to treat off-the-record movements with any less gravity."
The incident occurred at Trump's International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, where the former president was enjoying a round of golf. A gunman was spotted aiming a rifle through the perimeter fence, prompting a Secret Service agent to fire several shots. The suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, fled the scene in a Nissan but was later apprehended.
Figliuzzi called for increased funding for the Secret Service, stating, "The Service clearly needs more resources, even though their budget has grown by 55 percent over 10 years." He also pointed out the root causes of such threats, emphasizing the need for stricter gun control. "Too many people have guns who should not have them. The agency responsible for enforcing current gun laws is the ATF. Their budget was just slashed by $50 million."
Routh, who has a criminal history, was charged in federal court in Florida with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with a deleted serial number. Figliuzzi highlighted the seriousness of these charges, particularly the removal of a gun's serial number, which he described as a "serious federal crime."
Routh's past brushes with the law include a 2002 incident where he was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, resisting a police officer, and driving without a valid license, among other charges. He received a suspended sentence.
This incident follows a previous attack on Trump, who was struck by a bullet in his right ear at an outdoor campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. The shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was taken down by a Secret Service countersniper. These incidents underscore the ongoing security threats faced by public figures, and the need for constant vigilance and robust security measures.
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