Ryan Wesley Routh, Trump assassination attempt suspect, smiles in court as he’s hit with federal gun charges

The alleged gunman who authorities say tried to kill former President Donald Trump on his golf course over the weekend smiled in a Florida federal court on Monday morning as he was hit with federal gun charges.

Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was seen wearing dark blue prison scrubs with his hands and feet shackled ahead of his appearance at the federal courthouse in West Palm Beach.

He was calm and was seen talking and smiling with assistant public defender Kristy Militello ahead of his hearing.

Routh was charged with possessing a firearm despite being a convicted felon and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. 

Additional charges may be filed against him as the investigation continues and prosecutors seek an indictment, prosecutors said.

During the hearing, Routh said he works and makes about $3,000 a month, but has zero savings. 

Routh told the court he has not real estate or assets aside from two trucks in Hawaii that are worth about $1,000. 

He also said he has a 25-year-old son, whom he sometimes supports. 

Routh could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the first charge, and a possible five-year sentence on the second charge, officials said. 

A detention hearing for Routh has been set for Sept. 23 while his arraignment will be Sept. 30. 

Routh got within 300 to 500 yards of Trump at a chain link fence on the edge of his Palm Beach golf course Sunday afternoon while armed with an AK-style assault rifle, authorities say.

A Secret Service agent who was one hole ahead of Trump on the golf course spotted the rifle poking through the fence and opened fire.

Authorities said Routh had a scope on the rifle, backpacks and a GoPro camera set up to film the shooting, officials said.

The suspect fled and was arrested on I-95 a short time later.

Despite the attempt on Trump’s life in July, his security detail is lighter since he isn’t a sitting president, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw explained on Sunday.

With Post wires