Ryan Wesley Routh Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2024 Trump Assassination Attempt
Ryan Wesley Routh has been sentenced to life in prison for his 2024 attempt to assassinate then-US presidential candidate Donald Trump. The incident occurred on September 15, 2024, at Trump's West Palm Beach golf course. A jury convicted Routh on multiple felony charges, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, following a trial where Routh initially represented himself. Prosecutors had sought a life sentence, while the defense requested a reduced term, citing Routh's age and mental health.
Sentencing Details
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon delivered the life sentence to Routh in a Fort Pierce courtroom. Judge Cannon also imposed a consecutive seven-year sentence for one of Routh's gun convictions, with sentences for his other three crimes running concurrently. During the sentencing, Judge Cannon described Routh's plot as:
"deliberate and evil."
Prosecutors had requested a life sentence without parole, citing federal sentencing guidelines and Routh's lack of acceptance of responsibility. Defense attorney Martin L. Roth requested a sentence of 20 to 27 years, plus the mandatory seven years for the gun conviction, noting Routh's age of nearly 60, his defense, and mental health.
The September 2024 Incident: Attempted Assassination at Golf Course
On September 15, 2024, Donald Trump was at his West Palm Beach golf course, accompanied by his Secret Service team and Steve Witkoff. Trump's golf outing was a last-minute addition to his schedule, with notification provided to the Secret Service at 2:30 AM for an 11:00 AM departure. The golf course had previously been identified as a potential risk due to its accessible perimeter. Officials noted that as a candidate, Trump's security protocols were less extensive than those for a sitting president.
At approximately 1:30 PM, a Secret Service agent identified Routh, then 59, within the tree line, about 1.5 meters away, observing:
"a gun barrel poking through the fence line."
The agent reportedly fired several shots at Routh. Counter-snipers responded, instructing Trump's golfing group to take cover, and Trump was removed from the course. Routh then fled the scene in his vehicle without discharging his rifle.
Investigation and Apprehension
Police tracked and stopped Routh's black Nissan Xterra at 2:15 PM on the same day. Upon arrest, Routh appeared calm.
Evidence left at the scene included a digital camera, a backpack, a loaded rifle with an obliterated serial number, and a black plastic bag containing food. The backpack and bag also contained plates capable of stopping small arms fire. Phone records indicated Routh had been waiting by the fence line for nearly 12 hours.
Inside Routh's vehicle, agents found two additional license plates, six cell phones (one with a Google search for travel from Palm Beach County to Mexico), 12 pairs of gloves, Routh's Hawaii driver's license, a passport, and documents. These documents included a handwritten list of Trump's August-October 2024 appearances and a notebook containing names and numbers related to Ukraine combat.
Routh's Background and Preparations
Routh, a former roofing contractor from Greensboro, North Carolina, had a criminal record that included charges for theft, driving with a suspended license, and multiple hit-and-runs. In 2002, he faced a charge for possessing a "weapon of mass destruction."
In 2018, Routh moved to Hawaii, reportedly expressing intentions to build sheds to address homelessness and a desire to "fight and die for Ukraine." He appeared at a Kyiv demonstration in April 2022, though Ukrainian officials stated Routh never served in the military and periodically contacted them with "nonsensical ideas."
In a 2023 self-published book, Routh wrote:
"You are free to assassinate Trump."
His online presence also indicated disdain for Mr. Trump. Prosecutors stated that Routh spent weeks planning the attempt, with investigators using cell phone data and license plate readers to track his movements as he surveyed locations while residing in his vehicle at a truck stop.
In late July 2024, Routh contacted a former employee, Tina Brown Cooper, for assistance in purchasing a rifle, as his criminal record prevented him from buying one legally. Cooper arranged the purchase of a "Chinese-made SKS rifle" from her new boss, Ronnie Jay Oxendine, for $350 cash. Routh paid Cooper an additional $100 for her role.
Prior Security Incidents Involving Trump
This incident marked the second assassination attempt Trump survived within two months during his 2024 presidential campaign. Two months prior, shots were fired at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, injuring Trump in the ear and killing former firefighter Corey Comperatore. In that incident, Thomas Crooks fired a semi-automatic rifle and was subsequently killed by a Secret Service agent. Then-President Joe Biden condemned the violence.
The Trial and Legal Proceedings
Routh was convicted on five criminal charges:
- Attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate.
- Using a firearm in furtherance of a crime.
- Assaulting a federal officer.
- Possessing a firearm as a felon.
- Using a gun with a defaced serial number.
The jury returned a guilty verdict on all counts after approximately two to two and a half hours of deliberation.
Routh chose to represent himself during most of the two-and-a-half-week trial, following disagreements with his federal public defenders. Judge Cannon had permitted his self-representation. In public court filings, Routh referred to Trump as a "racist pig." During his closing argument, Routh claimed he did not intend to kill Trump, stating:
"It was just an individual on the fence with a gun resting there," and asserted to the jury that he was a peaceful individual incapable of killing.
Routh called three witnesses during his defense, which was presented over a few hours.
For the sentencing phase, Judge Cannon granted Routh's request for new legal representation, describing Routh's motion as a "disrespectful charade" but allowing the change.
Courtroom Conduct
Upon the guilty verdict being read, Routh attempted to stab himself with a pen before federal marshals intervened. In court filings, Routh apologized to the judge for what he termed "the nuisance of the trial" and wrote about being "just a quarter inch further back" regarding the incident. During sentencing, Routh remained seated and stated:
"Nothing stands before you but a hollow American shell. Sadly, execution is not an option."
He also read a lengthy statement before being interrupted by the judge. Prosecutors noted Routh remained unrepentant for his crimes.