Ryan Routh Found Guilty on All Charges in Trump Assassination Attempt Trial

A federal jury in Fort Pierce, Florida, found Ryan Routh guilty on all five federal charges tied to his attempt to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf club last September. The 59-year-old construction worker was convicted of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and firearms offenses, with potential life in prison at sentencing. The verdict came after a nearly three-week trial in which prosecutors portrayed Routh as having plotted for weeks and mounted a sniper-style operation near the course.

Routh, who represented himself, faced five counts, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, attempted possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and assaulting a federal officer. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. Jurors deliberated for several hours before returning a verdict, following testimony from dozens of witnesses and a detailed evidentiary presentation. The case unfolded as prosecutors mapped a narrative of premeditation, including reconnaissance trips to the Palm Beach course and surveillance that spanned weeks leading up to the Sept. 15, 2024 incident.

Prosecutors spent nearly two full weeks laying out digital and forensic evidence to establish intent and means. They highlighted hundreds of items, from call logs and texts to flight-tracking data and license-plate records, that tied Routh to Palm Beach County during the relevant period. Investigators recovered a SKS rifle near the golf course with 19 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber, linked by fingerprint on the scope and DNA on the rifle and other items. Bank records were introduced to connect Routh to the weapon, and experts testified the rifle was operable for use at distance. Prosecutors told jurors that the defendant’s actions on Sept. 15, 2024, were more than a stunt; they represented a deliberate attempt to kill the candidate. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Browne stated, “This was not a publicity stunt. The evidence has shown one thing and one thing only — the defendant wanted Donald Trump dead.”

38 witnesses testified for the prosecution, while Routh called only three witnesses and did not present admissible evidence in his defense. The government walked jurors through a pattern of behavior, including a long hideout near a golf course hole, protective barriers, and long-range shooting considerations described as “sniper tradecraft.” Forensic experts testified about the weapon, the magazine, and other circumstantial details linking the defendant to the scene. The volume of material and the timeline presented a compelling narrative for the jury, which reached a unanimous verdict after about two hours of deliberation.

Routh, who has faced mockery for his self-representation, participated in opening statements that spanned only a few minutes before the court curtailed several digressions. He offered rambling remarks touching on prehistoric history and world leaders and at times suggested a golf-match resolution to the case. The judge, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, repeatedly admonished the defendant for running afoul of courtroom rules and blocked several of his more far-fetched requests, including a potential witness list that would have included the president himself and other figures. After resting his defense early in the trial, Routh did not present evidence deemed admissible by the court.

The verdict comes with a sentence that could see Routh spend the rest of his life in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced at a later hearing, with prosecutors already seeking the maximum penalty given the gravity and premeditated nature of the crime.

The Routh case unfolded less than two months after another attempt on Trump’s life in Pennsylvania, in which Michael Thomas Crooks fired at a campaign event in Butler. That shooter was killed by a Secret Service counter sniper. The sequence of events underscored the ongoing concern over political violence during Trump’s campaign years and prompted renewed focus on security at presidential stops.

In court, Routh’s conduct and the defense strategy drew attention from observers and legal analysts alike. The judge’s management of a self-represented defendant has been a point of discussion throughout the proceedings, with Cannon often stepping in to keep the trial moving and to ensure that rules were followed. The DoJ’s posture in the case reflected a broader emphasis on prosecuting political violence, a stance echoed in public statements following the verdict from DOJ leadership.

As the legal process moves to sentencing, officials cautioned that the defendant faces a life sentence, given the severity of the charged offenses and the premeditated nature of the plot. The sentencing date will depend on the court’s schedule and any additional pre-sentencing considerations, including potential three-strike or firearm-enhancement factors. The outcome marks a definitive conclusion to the trial phase, but the broader conversation about security for national figures and the threat of politically motivated violence is likely to continue.