Guilty Verdict Delivered in Federal Court
On September 23, 2025, a jury in Fort Pierce, Florida, found 59-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh guilty on every count connected to his attempt to kill former President Donald Trump. The panel deliberated for roughly two hours before reaching its decision. Routh, acting as his own attorney, disrupted the courtroom by trying to stab his neck with a pen as the verdict was read, prompting marshals to intervene.
Prosecutors Outline Planned Attack
According to the government’s case, Routh prepared extensively before heading to Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. Armed with an SKS-style rifle, he concealed himself near the fence for hours, keeping the fairway in sight while Trump played. A Secret Service officer noticed him and fired a warning shot, forcing Routh to retreat. He was later captured and charged.
Sentencing Set for December
The jury convicted Routh of attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, assaulting a federal agent, and multiple weapons violations. Attorney General Pam Bondi commended the outcome as a clear stand against political violence, while Trump expressed gratitude to the court and law enforcement. Routh is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18 and faces the possibility of life in prison.
