The trial of Ryan Wesley Routh reached a dramatic conclusion in Fort Pierce, Florida, when a jury found him guilty of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump on a golf course last year. Moments after the verdict was read, Routh shocked the courtroom by trying to stab himself in the neck with a pen. U.S. Marshals quickly restrained him as his daughter pleaded with him not to hurt himself. He was briefly removed but returned in handcuffs, showing no visible injuries, before the proceedings resumed. Read More
Routh, a 59-year-old from Hawaii, was convicted after just two and a half hours of jury deliberation. In addition to the assassination attempt charge, he was found guilty of assaulting a Secret Service agent and three federal firearm violations stemming from the September 15, 2024, incident at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. Prosecutors argued that Routh had been planning the attack for a long time and presented a note he had written beforehand that stated explicitly, “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump.”
Trump responded to the verdict on Truth Social, calling it “a very big moment for justice in America.” He praised Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, and the Department of Justice team for handling the trial with professionalism and thanked the judge and jury. Trump described Routh as “an evil man with an evil intention” who was caught before he could carry out his plan.
Routh represented himself in court after clashing with his public defenders, despite U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon warning him that it was a bad idea. His closing argument was rambling and disjointed, touching on topics from January 6 to Ukraine and even Patrick Henry. Judge Cannon repeatedly intervened when Routh strayed from the case and eventually cut him off altogether. His defense boiled down to the claim that merely having a weapon near Trump did not prove intent.
Throughout the two-week trial, Routh frequently disrupted proceedings and asked witnesses questions deemed irrelevant. His attempts to introduce character witnesses painted him as a “jolly person,” but prosecutors countered with 38 witnesses who testified about his actions and intentions. A Secret Service agent ultimately discovered Routh hiding in the bushes near the fifth hole of the course, waiting for Trump to come into his line of fire.
The case gained additional weight as it came amid heightened concerns about political violence in the United States, following the recent killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Judge Cannon, who presided over the case, was appointed to the bench by Trump and previously dismissed charges against him in a separate classified documents case.
Routh now faces a potential life sentence when he returns for sentencing. Despite the courtroom chaos and his last-minute act of self-harm, the conviction brought a swift and decisive end to a case that prosecutors said was never in doubt.
