Ryan Routh, the individual accused of attempting to assassinate former presidential candidate Donald Trump, was found guilty today on all charges. The verdict followed a trial that centered on his alleged plot to kill Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club in September 2024.
After the jury announced its decision, Routh reportedly attempted to stab himself in the neck with a pen before being restrained by U.S. Marshals. His daughter, Sara Routh, reacted publicly, claiming the trial was “rigged” and expressing frustration over the outcome.
Routh faced five federal charges, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and firearms offenses. Prosecutors emphasized evidence of his intent, citing 17 alleged reconnaissance trips to Trump’s golf course and what they described as excessive stalking prior to the incident.
A key element of the prosecution’s case was proving Routh’s “substantial steps” toward carrying out the attack, including allegedly hiding in a sniper’s nest for over 10 hours before the attempted assassination. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Browne stated the evidence left no doubt about Routh’s intent to kill Trump.
The FBI admitted it had been monitoring Routh since at least 2019, raising questions about why preventive action was not taken. The case has sparked broader scrutiny of how authorities handle individuals with apparent ties to extremist behavior.