Jury to Deliberate in Trump Golf-Club Attack Trial of Ryan Routh

Jurors in Fort Pierce, Florida, are expected to begin deliberations Tuesday in the federal case against Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club in 2024.

Routh, 59, who is representing himself, wrapped up his defense after less than a day of testimony on Monday, calling only three witnesses and telling U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon that he would not testify in his own defense. With the defense complete, the prosecution rested its case earlier in the afternoon; Cannon ordered the court to reconvene for closing arguments at 9 a.m. Tuesday. Prosecutors and Routh will take turns presenting their closing arguments, followed immediately by jurors’ instruction on the deliberation process.

Routh faces five federal counts, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms offenses. A conviction on any count could carry a maximum life sentence. The closing arguments come after Routh rested his case after just hours of presenting arguments to jurors.

The prosecution’s case spanned nearly two weeks, with jurors hearing from 38 witnesses and reviewing hundreds of exhibits — including text messages, call logs, bank records, and cellphone data — that linked Routh to the alleged gun purchase and placed him near Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach in the weeks before the alleged assassination attempt. By contrast, Routh’s pro se defense presented three witnesses and did not introduce new evidence.

FBI evidence, including phone extractions and DNA testimony, helped frame the government’s theory of the case as it sought to prove proximity to the scene and intent. The defense’s strategy centered on challenging the government’s timeline and the robustness of the link between Routh and the alleged firearm purchase. Cannon instructed jurors to consider whether prosecutors met the standard for conviction on each count beyond a reasonable doubt.

If the jury returns a verdict of guilty on any count, Routh could face life in prison. A verdict could come as early as Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on how long closing arguments run and how long jurors need to deliberate. The case has drawn attention as part of ongoing coverage of former President Trump’s legal proceedings and related investigations.