Ryan Routh, the 59-year-old man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year, was convicted Monday in federal court in Florida. A jury found him guilty of attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, assault on a federal officer, and multiple firearms charges, including illegal possession and use of a weapon in the commission of a federal crime.
The verdict brought an outburst from Routh, who tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen as the charges were read. Court security quickly subdued him before he could inflict serious harm.
The incident in question took place on September 15, 2024, when Trump, then still a presidential candidate, was playing at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. According to investigators, Routh had infiltrated the course and concealed himself in nearby bushes, waiting for Trump to approach so he could carry out the attack. His plan unraveled when a Secret Service agent spotted him. Shots were fired, forcing Routh to flee before he was apprehended shortly after in a neighboring county.
The assassination attempt occurred just two months after Thomas Crooks nearly killed Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Together, the two incidents fueled major criticism of the Secret Service and raised questions about whether the agency could adequately protect one of the most heavily guarded figures in the United States.
Routh’s background added further intrigue to the case. A committed supporter of Ukraine, he had been active on social media promoting pro-Kyiv views and even traveled to Ukraine in 2022. He reportedly attempted to recruit others to fight on Kyiv’s behalf. Observers have speculated that Trump’s campaign rhetoric — in which he pledged to end the war in Ukraine — may have influenced Routh’s motives. However, with the trial closed to the public, little new information has emerged, and prosecutors declined to provide details beyond the charges.
Routh now faces the possibility of life in prison when sentenced.