Ryan Routh Convicted for 2024 Trump Assassination Attempt, Attempts Self-Harm in Court

Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at a Florida golf course in September 2024, was found guilty on all counts this Tuesday. Following the verdict, Routh reportedly attempted to stab himself in the neck with a pen before being quickly subdued and removed from the courtroom by officers.

A jury of five men and seven women delivered the unanimous guilty verdict after just two hours of deliberation. As jurors exited, Routh grabbed a pen and made an attempt on his own life, leading to a swift intervention by marshals who dragged him from the courthouse. His daughter, Sara Routh, present in the courtroom, was heard screaming, expressing her love and claiming the case was rigged.

Routh faced multiple charges, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and assaulting a federal officer. He had pleaded not guilty and opted to represent himself during the trial.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Routh spent weeks meticulously planning to kill Trump before aiming a rifle at him on September 15, 2024, as Trump played golf at his West Palm Beach country club. Routh, however, argued during his closing statement that he never intended to harm anyone, emphasizing that the trigger was never pulled and he could have shot a Secret Service agent if his intent was truly violent.

Attorney General Pam Bondi lauded the verdict, stating it underscores the Department of Justice’s commitment to combating political violence and that the attempted assassination was an affront to the nation.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon had previously granted Routh’s request to represent himself. During the trial, a Secret Service agent testified to spotting Routh before Trump came into view, leading to an exchange of fire where Routh dropped his weapon and fled without firing a shot. Routh was later apprehended with the help of a witness.

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