Summary
A woman named Chelsea Walsh raised alarms about Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, over two years before his arrest. Walsh reported her concerns to U.S. authorities, describing Routh as a “ticking time bomb” due to his increasingly aggressive behavior and detailed threats against political figures, including Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Walsh, who was in Ukraine as a nurse aid worker, encountered Routh during his attempts to recruit foreign soldiers. She noticed his erratic behavior and made several reports to agencies including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the FBI, and Interpol. Despite these warnings, authorities did not take substantial action, leading to criticism about their response to potential threats. Routh was arrested on September 15, 2024, after allegedly stalking Trump at a golf course with an assault rifle, raising questions about the effectiveness of the federal agencies in addressing such warnings.
Background on Ryan Routh
Ryan Routh, 58, has a history of troubling behavior and criminal activity, including previous felony convictions. His recent actions included stalking Trump at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he was found with an SKS rifle. Authorities discovered that Routh had been preparing for this incident by monitoring Trump’s schedule and had even written a letter admitting to an assassination attempt.
Concerns Raised by Chelsea Walsh
In June 2022, Walsh reported her concerns to Customs and Border Protection after observing Routh’s aggressive demeanor and violent threats. She described a series of alarming incidents, including Routh’s threats to kill Putin and his violent outbursts, which she believed warranted serious attention from authorities. Walsh’s warnings, along with others from different sources, raised questions about the adequacy of federal responses to potential threats against political figures.
Government Response and Accountability
Despite multiple reports about Routh’s behavior, including a tip about his possession of firearms and erratic actions in Ukraine, federal agencies have faced scrutiny over their inaction. Walsh and others have expressed frustration that their warnings did not lead to more proactive measures to prevent Routh’s alleged assassination attempt on Trump. The lack of communication and follow-up from agencies like the FBI and Customs and Border Protection has sparked a debate about the effectiveness of current threat assessment protocols.
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