Jury Reaches Swift Verdict
A federal jury in Fort Pierce, Florida, on September 23, 2025, convicted Ryan Wesley Routh on all charges stemming from his attempt to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a West Palm Beach golf club. Jurors deliberated for just two hours before delivering the verdict. Routh, 59, who represented himself without legal training, was immediately restrained after attempting to stab himself in the neck with a pen as the decision was read.
Details of the Plot
Prosecutors said Routh spent weeks planning the attack, positioning himself with a loaded SKS-style rifle along the fence line at Trump International Golf Club. He allegedly lay in wait for hours, aiming toward the fairway where Trump was golfing, before being spotted by a Secret Service agent. After a warning shot was fired, Routh fled the scene but was later arrested.
Convictions and Sentencing Ahead
Routh was found guilty of attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, firearm offenses, and illegal possession of a weapon as a felon. Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the jury’s decision as a rejection of political violence, while Trump said justice had been served. Sentencing is scheduled for December 18, when Routh could face life imprisonment.
