Ryan Routh To Be Sentenced Over Failed 2024 Assassination Attempt On Trump

Ryan Routh, the man convicted of attempting to assassinate US President Donald Trump at a Florida golf course in 2024, is set to be sentenced on Wednesday, February 4.
 

Routh was found guilty in September on five counts after a turbulent trial in which he chose to represent himself and was repeatedly reprimanded by the presiding judge, Aileen Cannon. One of the charges includes attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate.

Judge Cannon will determine Routh’s sentence, with prosecutors urging the court to impose a life term. They are also seeking a terrorism enhancement, which Routh is expected to challenge during the sentencing hearing.

“He’s his own man, he doesn’t follow the advice that lawyers give him, but he’s well within his rights to say whatever is on his mind and whatever is on his chest,” said Martin Roth, an attorney hired by Routh after his conviction. Roth added that his client’s remarks in court “will be unusual” and “will only be partially about the case.”
 

In court filings, prosecutors argued that Routh’s actions justified the harshest possible punishment. “Routh’s crimes undeniably warrant a life sentence, he took steps over the course of months to assassinate a major presidential candidate,” they said, adding that he “demonstrated the will to kill anybody in the way” and showed “neither regret nor remorse.”

Evidence presented at trial showed that Routh had spent weeks near Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course and Mar-a-Lago residence before the incident. Investigators also recovered burner phones containing searches such as “Trump’s upcoming rallies” and “Palm Beach traffic cameras.”

Authorities uncovered a handwritten letter in which Routh confessed to the plot. “I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job,” the letter read. Investigators said there was no evidence he had access to such funds.

On September 15, 2024, Routh allegedly set up a sniper’s position near the sixth hole of Trump’s golf course, armed with an old Soviet-style rifle and shielded by armored plates hung over a fence. Trump was playing golf just one hole away.

A Secret Service agent clearing the area spotted Routh’s face and the rifle barrel protruding through a chain-link fence. With the weapon pointed at him, the agent fired several shots before taking cover and alerting other security personnel.

Routh fled the scene but was seen by a civilian witness, Tommy McGee, who noted the vehicle’s license plate and alerted authorities. McGee later testified that Routh told him during cross-examination, “You’re a good man. You’re my hero. You’re an American hero.”

Additional evidence showed Routh had planned an escape, with online searches including “Directions to Miami airport” and “flights to Mexico.”

Throughout the trial, Routh repeatedly veered off-topic, prompting frequent interruptions from Judge Cannon. In his closing argument, he claimed the assassination “was never going to happen” and argued that without a shot being fired, “it is not an attempt.” The judge interrupted him multiple times before the jury deliberated for three hours and returned a guilty verdict.

After the verdict was read, Routh attempted to stab himself in the neck with a pen in open court. He was restrained by US Marshals as his daughter cried out from the courtroom for help.