Suspected Would-Be Trump Assassin Appears in Court

The suspect in former President Trump's apparent assassination attempt made his first court appearance today. President Biden briefly answered questions about the incident today, watch. Thank God the president's okay, I think we got a full report so far, we're down there tonight. One thing I want to make clear, the service needs more help, and I think Congress should respond to their needs. The suspect has been identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Ruth of Hawaii. He made his first appearance at federal courthouse in West Palm Beach, Florida today. So far, it's unclear what charges he's facing. Martin County Sheriff commented on the case for the suspect on Interstate 95. He said the suspect looked very calm and relaxed when he was captured. I think what was noteworthy about the car was how not noteworthy it was. You know, it's just the ideal car to slip through traffic. 95, heavily traveled. It was really God's blessing, I think, first of all, that President Trump wasn't hit. And second of all, that we were able to find him as fast as we did and, you know, prevent the anxiety I would think for the Trump family, a kill, wrong, or lose. It was good all around. According to past media interviews and some social media posts, Ruth was a staunch supporter of Ukraine. He said he wanted to recruit foreign volunteers to fight there in the war with Russia. Ukraine's International Legion denied connections with him, but said he reached out to them online multiple times. The Secret Service says acting director Ronald Rowe will stay in Florida for the investigation. NTD's Daniel Monaghan has more on the developing story, which played out at Trump's Florida golf club yesterday. It's the second time in two months there's been an attempt on the former president's life. Trump is safe and was not harmed in the incident. Secret Service agents stationed a few holes from where Trump was playing golf, noticed the muzzle of an AK-style rifle sticking through the shrubbery roughly 400 yards away. An agent fired and the gunman dropped the rifle and fled in an SUV. The suspect left a firearm behind, along with two backpacks, a scope used for aiming, and a GoPro camera. Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw says a witness approached them. The person saw a guy running out of the bushes who jumped into a black Nissan. The witness took a picture of the vehicle and the license plate. Law enforcement soon got a hit on that vehicle on I-95, heading into Martin County. Police then spotted the vehicle, pulled it over, and detained the suspect. The suspect has not yet been officially named. The apparent assassination attempt comes two months after another assassination attempt against the former president at a Pennsylvania rally. That shooting incident sparked scrutiny of the Secret Service. Former President Trump on Truth Social thanked the Secret Service, Sheriff Rick Bradshaw, and all of law enforcement, writing, Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the assassination attempt, writing on X that she was deeply disturbed by the possible assassination attempt. Harris added that she was thankful that former President Trump is safe and commended the Secret Service and their law enforcement partners for their vigilance. President Biden said he was relieved that Trump was unharmed. Trump's running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, says he's glad President Trump is safe and that he'll be hugging his kids extra tight and saying a prayer of gratitude. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says Florida will be conducting its own investigation, adding that people deserve the truth about the would-be assassin and how he was able to get within 500 yards of Trump. The FBI is leading the investigation into the assassination attempt and working to determine any motive. Daniel Monahan, NTD News.