A former FBI terrorism agent, Jeff Danik, has raised serious concerns over U.S. intelligence agencies' lack of response to Ryan Wesley Routh, a man accused of plotting to assassinate Donald Trump. Danik, a seasoned FBI supervisor, claims it’s “almost impossible” that American intelligence agencies like the NSA and CIA were unaware of Routh's activities, especially given his documented ties to recruitment efforts in war zones such as Ukraine and Afghanistan.
Routh's connection to battlefield activities in these regions should have triggered red flags within U.S. intelligence, Danik argued. Both Ukraine and Afghanistan are prime locations for intelligence collection by American agencies and their international partners. Danik said he would be shocked if the CIA or NSA hadn’t already gathered information about Routh's movements and communications. He expressed disbelief that Routh could evade such intense scrutiny, given the regions’ strategic importance for intelligence operations).
BOMBSHELL: The suspect, "#RyanRouth" in the attempted assassination of former President Donald #Trump, has been identified as a fervent supporter of #Ukraine and a vocal critic of #Trump. #Routh's social media accounts reportedly contained numerous posts focused ….
President… pic.twitter.com/TX2ge8mTS6
— deepugurjarpalara (@deepu_gurjar_99) September 16, 2024
Danik's remarks came during a discussion on John Solomon's Just The News podcast, where the former agent laid out his case for why U.S. agencies likely had intel on Routh but failed to act. He emphasized that an American with ties to Ukraine and Afghanistan would naturally attract surveillance from not only U.S. agencies but also their intelligence partners. Given Routh's ties to battlefield recruitment in such critical regions, Danik suggested that intelligence likely exists, either through compromised devices or collected data, that would shed light on his activities).
According to the podcast, Routh had been flagged by U.S. officials upon his return from Ukraine, but Homeland Security reportedly refused to investigate the case further. This has led to growing speculation over whether federal authorities missed key warning signs that could have prevented the assassination plot. Critics argue that this oversight reflects broader issues within the U.S. intelligence community, especially when dealing with threats involving foreign battlefields and individuals with known extremist connections.
🇺🇸Supported Ukraine and Kamala Harris, recruited Afghans for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. What is known about the shooter who aimed at Trump?
According to the Associated Press, there was an assassination attempt on the presidential candidate yesterday.
The agency cites FBI data,… pic.twitter.com/glpueZhzon
— Intel Slava (@Intel_Slava) September 16, 2024
The revelations have sparked debate about whether the U.S. intelligence apparatus is equipped to handle emerging threats, particularly in the context of politically motivated violence. As Danik pointed out, with the enormous resources devoted to monitoring regions like Ukraine and Afghanistan, it would be hard to believe that Routh's movements were not already on the radar of U.S. intelligence.
Moreover, some commentators have suggested that the case highlights gaps in inter-agency coordination, particularly between intelligence gathering and law enforcement actions. With agencies like the NSA and CIA involved in data collection but Homeland Security allegedly declining to act, the potential breakdown in communication has become a focal point of criticism.
This situation is particularly concerning given the high stakes of a plot targeting a former U.S. president. Many are calling for more transparency and accountability from federal agencies in cases involving national security threats. As the 2024 election cycle heats up, the handling of cases like Routh’s will likely remain in the spotlight, with politicians and the public alike demanding answers on whether U.S. intelligence failed to act in time.
Ultimately, Danik's insights underscore a growing concern that critical intelligence may be slipping through the cracks, potentially putting national security at risk. The case of Ryan Wesley Routh continues to raise pressing questions about the efficacy of U.S. intelligence operations and their ability to prevent future attacks.