A federal jury on Tuesday found Ryan Routh, 59, guilty on all counts in connection with an attempt to assassinate Donald Trump at his Florida golf course last year.
The Hawaii resident was convicted of attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms offenses after a 12-day trial in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Routh faces a possible life sentence, with sentencing scheduled for December 18. Moments after the verdict was read, he reportedly tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen before being restrained by court marshals, according to Fox News and NBC.
Trump, who was seeking a second term at the time of the incident, praised Attorney General Pam Bondi and federal prosecutors for the conviction. “This was an evil man with an evil intention, and they caught him,” Trump said on Truth Social. Bondi described the verdict as “an affirmation of justice,” adding, “This attempted assassination was not only an attack on our president, but an affront to our very nation itself.”
The September 15, 2024, incident occurred at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course, when a Secret Service agent spotted the barrel of a rifle protruding from bushes near the perimeter. The agent opened fire, forcing Routh to flee before he was quickly apprehended.
This was the second attempt on Trump’s life in 2024. Just two months earlier, Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, grazing Trump’s right ear before being killed by a Secret Service sniper.
Routh, who chose to represent himself at trial, frequently frustrated Judge Aileen Cannon with rambling statements. Reports suggest he had an obsession with the Russia-Ukraine conflict and even traveled to Kyiv in a failed bid to join volunteer fighters, being turned away due to age and inexperience.
What you should know
Ryan Routh’s conviction underscores heightened concerns about political violence in the United States. Coming after another attempt on Trump’s life last year, the case reflects the security challenges facing political leaders.
Routh’s fixation with international conflicts and erratic behavior also highlighted the dangers posed by individuals acting on extreme motivations.
