Clemens Reacts to Guilty Verdict in Trump Assassination Attempt Case
Former MLB star comments on Fox News, urging unity and continued support for the president.
A federal jury in Florida on Tuesday found Ryan Wesley Routh guilty on all five counts tied to an attempt to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club last September, including the date Sept. 16, 2024.
Routh, 59, was charged with five federal counts, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and multiple firearms offenses. After the verdict was read, Routh reportedly tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen before four U.S. Marshals restrained him.
On Fox News' Will Cain Show, Roger Clemens, a former MLB star and longtime Trump supporter who has golfed with the president, reacted to the verdict. He said the moment prompted a deep breath and noted concerns about security at rallies, referencing a past Pennsylvania incident involving a man with a golf-range finder at a rally.
Clemens recalled golfing with Trump in Virginia, describing the scene as intense because of the security presence, with about 30 golf carts and Secret Service on site. He described Trump as no-nonsense and said his admiration for the president stems from that approach, adding that he hopes Americans who disagree with Trump will still root for his success.
Clemens also urged unity, saying he did not vote for Obama but supported him when he became president and believes people should come together regardless of partisan differences.
The five-count verdict against Routh includes charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and multiple firearms offenses. The case centers on the September 2024 incident at Trump’s West Palm Beach club, where authorities say Routh attempted to harm the former president during a round of golf.
Following the verdict, Routh reportedly appeared to attempt self-harm with a pen, and four U.S. Marshals restrained him as the court proceeding continued.
The verdict marks another high-profile federal case linked to threats against public figures. Prosecutors described the conduct as potentially catastrophic, given the security and crowd dynamics typical of Trump events. Defense counsel for Routh has not publicly commented on Tuesday’s verdict in detail, and the court docket indicates sentencing proceedings will follow in coming weeks.
In a separate moment of public reflection, the case has drawn attention to the broader political climate surrounding the former president and the intense security measures that accompany his appearances. As the legal process moves forward, analysts say the outcome could influence how future threats are handled and how public figures balance access with safety.
