Ryan Routh, a 59-year-old man, was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday for his attempted assassination of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at Trump’s golf course in Florida in September 2024. The sentencing was delivered by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, and follows Routh's conviction by a jury last year on five counts, including attempted assassination and assault on a federal officer.
The incident occurred on September 15, 2024, when Routh was discovered hiding in the bushes with a rifle as Trump was golfing. Secret Service Agent Robert Fercano intervened, firing at Routh, who subsequently fled but was apprehended by law enforcement on Interstate 95. Routh had represented himself during the trial and argued that merely possessing a weapon did not constitute intent to assassinate.
Evidence presented during the trial included Routh's writings expressing his dissatisfaction with Trump and a letter in which he openly discussed his failed assassination attempt and offered a reward for someone else to complete the act. The FBI also found records indicating Routh had been near Trump’s golf course multiple times in the weeks leading up to the attack, as well as a list of flights out of the country in his vehicle.
Routh had previously shown an interest in international conflicts, particularly in Ukraine, where he attempted to recruit fighters and sought military equipment to prevent Trump's election. His actions followed a separate incident in July 2024, when another individual shot at Trump during a campaign rally. Notably, Trump won the 2024 presidential election just two months after Routh's assassination attempt.