Ryan Wesley Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign, was found guilty on all counts on September 23, 2025, in a federal court in Florida. The verdict came after a two-week trial that began on September 8, 2025.
Routh’s arrest and charges stem from an incident on September 15, 2024, when Secret Service agents discovered him hiding in shrubbery outside Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Armed with an SKS-style rifle and positioned 300 to 500 yards away from Trump, who was playing golf at the time, Routh was discovered before he could discharge his weapon. Authorities report that Routh did not fire any shots during the incident. After being spotted, Secret Service agents fired at Routh and pursued him, ultimately arresting him at the scene.
During the trial, Routh’s defense was unconventional, as he chose to represent himself. He exhibited unorthodox behavior, including dismissing his legal team and making unusual requests, such as requesting strippers for his jail cell. He also challenged the idea of a traditional trial, proposing a fistfight with Trump instead and going on lengthy monologues about history and global conflicts.
Despite these tactics, the jury deliberated for approximately two and a half hours before returning a unanimous verdict of guilty on five federal charges, which include attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and various firearms violations. Routh now faces the prospect of life imprisonment, with sentencing scheduled for December 18, 2025.
The courtroom drama continued after the verdict was read. Immediately upon hearing the guilty verdicts, Routh grabbed a black pen and attempted to stab himself in the neck. Court marshals quickly intervened, restraining him and removing him from the courtroom. His daughter, present in the courtroom, pleaded with him not to harm himself before being escorted out. Despite the attempt, Routh appeared uninjured and was returned to court in handcuffs shortly thereafter.
Ryan Routh, age 59, had a social media presence indicating strong support for Ukraine during its conflict with Russia, including indications that he traveled to Ukraine to support their defense. Voting records show he voted in local and general elections but was not affiliated with any political party. Prosecutors contend that Routh spent weeks planning the attack before positioning himself near the golf course.
This assassination attempt marked the second known attempt on Donald Trump’s life within a few months, following a July 2024 incident at a rally in Pennsylvania where a bullet grazed Trump and left others wounded or dead. The heightened political tension surrounding these events has intensified national discussions about political violence in the United States.