Alleged Trump shooter Ryan Routh reveals his connection with Thomas Crooks in his jail letter

Ryan Routh

, charged with attempting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump, sent a four-page letter from his detention centre in Miami, shedding light on his political ideologies and grievances.
Addressed to

Politico

journalist Ankush Khardori, the letter offers insights into his discontent with America’s political system, as well as his disdain for Trump, whom he labelled a “dictator.”
Routh's views on the two-party system
As per Politico, Routh criticised the dominance of the two-party system in his letter, blaming it for America’s flawed candidates.

“My entire life has been plagued by D’s and R’s,” he wrote. He lamented the failure of alternative political movements like the Libertarian and Green parties to gain recognition, calling for a restructuring of the political landscape.
He advocated for full

public campaign financing

to eliminate private donations, which he views as a root cause of political corruption.
Connection to Thomas Crooks
Routh linked himself to Thomas Crooks, who was killed by Secret Service agents after a failed attempt to assassinate Trump in July at a Pennsylvania rally.

Referring to both himself and Crooks as being “ready to die for freedom and democracy,” Routh acknowledged their shared opposition to Trump.
Federal prosecutors previously linked Routh to another incriminating letter written months before his September attempt, which alluded to plans of assassinating Trump.
Views on Trump and Middle-Eastern policies
While denying any allegiance to the Democratic Party, Routh described Trump as a grave threat to democracy. He criticised Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, accusing him of causing chaos in the Middle East.
Routh held Trump responsible for “all those lives lost and all the destruction” since the withdrawal and demanded an end to Israeli attacks, urging peace negotiations involving regional actors like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
Calls to action and civil war fears
Written before the

2024 election

, Routh urged Americans to act decisively depending on the outcome. He called for limiting presidential powers in case of a Trump victory and encouraged surrounding the Capitol to prevent another January 6-like siege if Vice President Kamala Harris won. His musings included fears of a potential “civil war.”
Arrest and legal proceedings
Routh’s alleged assassination attempt occurred on September 15, when he reportedly camped at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course for 12 hours. Spotted by Secret Service agents, he fled after they opened fire but was quickly captured. He has pleaded not guilty and awaits trial in February 2025.
The content of Routh's letter, described as both revealing and contradictory, highlights his grievances with the political system and his belief in extreme measures to address them.