Man Convicted in Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A federal jury convicted Ryan Routh, 59, on all charges Tuesday for attempting to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club on Sept. 15, 2024. The charges included attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms offenses, carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison.

After the guilty verdict was announced, Routh reportedly attempted to stab himself in the neck with a pen but was restrained by four U.S. Marshals. His daughter, Sara Routh, stood in the courtroom and shouted, “Don’t do anything. I will get you out. This is not fair. This is all rigged.” The jury was present during the outburst.

The verdict followed a nearly three-week trial in Fort Pierce, Florida, with jurors deliberating for several hours. Prosecutors presented extensive evidence, including call logs, text messages, surveillance footage, and bank records linking Routh to the purchase of an SKS semi-automatic 7.62x39 caliber rifle found near Trump’s golf course. Forensic experts testified that Routh’s fingerprints were on the rifle’s scope, and his DNA was found on the weapon, gloves, and other items. The rifle’s magazine contained 19 rounds, one in the chamber.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Browne emphasized Routh’s intent during closing arguments, stating, “The evidence has shown one thing and one thing only — the defendant wanted Donald Trump dead.” Prosecutors highlighted 17 “reconnaissance” trips Routh allegedly made to the golf course and evidence of stalking Trump. They detailed a sniper’s nest near the 6th hole, where Routh hid for approximately 10 hours starting at 4 a.m., equipped with steel plates for ballistic protection and a setup indicating “sniper tradecraft.”

The prosecution called 38 witnesses, including law enforcement and forensic experts, and presented digital evidence, such as web searches, flight-tracking activity, and license-plate reader records of Routh’s black Nissan Xterra in Palm Beach County. A box delivered to two North Carolina brothers contained a 12-page manifesto titled “Dear World,” with the first three lines admitted in court, allegedly offering $150,000 to “complete the job.”

Routh, representing himself, rested his defense after questioning three witnesses, two of whom were friends, over several hours on Monday. No admissible evidence was introduced by the defense.

-Real America's Voice Staff

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