Bondi hails Ryan Routh verdict in Trump assassination attempt case

A Florida jury on Tuesday convicted Ryan Routh on all five federal counts for attempting to assassinate Donald Trump during a round of golf at the former president’s West Palm Beach club last year, a verdict prosecutors described as evidence of the Justice Department’s resolve to deter political violence. The verdict was delivered in Fort Pierce, Fla., as the jury found Routh guilty on each count, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate and multiple firearms offenses. Routh, 59, now faces a potential life sentence when he is sentenced.

Routh was charged with five federal counts, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms offenses. The jury’s verdict on all counts comes after a case prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Jason Quiñones and his trial team, who argued that the plan to kill Trump while he played golf at the West Palm Beach club represented a calculated attempt to undermine the political process.

Following the verdict, authorities said Routh attempted to stab himself in the neck with a pen in the courtroom before four U.S. Marshals restrained him. The courtroom moment drew attention to the high tensions surrounding political violence cases and the steps courts take to protect those present in the room. The event took place as the jury delivered its decision, closing a chapter on a case that drew national attention given the target and the setting during a national political moment.

The proceedings and the verdict drew reaction from Pam Bondi, who issued a statement praising the outcome. "Today’s guilty verdict against would-be Trump assassin Ryan Routh illustrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to punishing those who engage in political violence," Bondi said. "This attempted assassination was not only an attack on our President, but an affront to our very nation itself. I am grateful to U.S. Attorney Jason Quiñones, his entire trial team, and our law enforcement partners for protecting President Trump and securing this important verdict." Bondi added that the justice system’s handling of the case reflects a broader commitment to safeguarding elected leaders and the public.

Trump, who was in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly when the verdict was announced, spoke to reporters after it was revealed. He said he was "very appreciative" of the justice that was given and the way it was handled by the Justice Department. In a post on Truth Social, Trump credited the judge and jury and thanked the Secret Service, Florida law enforcement, and the person who spotted the suspect and followed him, providing information that helped lead to the arrest and conviction. "What incredible instinct and foresight this person had — A very big moment for JUSTICE IN AMERICA!" he wrote. He also noted that the case was handled with professionalism and patience.

The Ryan Routh case underscores ongoing federal efforts to deter political violence and to hold individuals accountable for threats against public officials. Prosecutors emphasized that the actions sought to disrupt the democratic process and threaten public safety, and the verdict represents a judicial response to those threats. While the defendant faces a potential lifetime sentence, the broader message from officials involved in the case is that the Justice Department will pursue such crimes vigorously and across jurisdictions when they involve attempts to harm a sitting or aspiring president. The trial illustrates the intersection of criminal law and national political discourse, and it arrived at a moment when officials across the political spectrum stress the need for robust responses to threats against public figures.