A Florida man who attempted to assassinate former U.S. president and then–presidential candidate Donald J. Trump has been sentenced to life in prison, bringing one of the most alarming episodes of political violence in recent American history to a close. The sentence was handed down on February 4 by a federal judge after prosecutors described months of planning and an unwavering intent to kill.
A Life Sentence for a Failed Assassination
Ryan Wesley Routh, 59, was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole, plus an additional seven years, by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon in Fort Pierce, Florida. The punishment followed Routh’s conviction on five federal felony counts, including the attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and assault on a federal law enforcement officer.
In delivering the sentence, Judge Cannon denounced Routh as an “evil” man and praised the actions of law enforcement officers who stopped the attack before it became a national tragedy.
The Attack at Trump International Golf Club
The incident occurred in September 2024 at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. According to prosecutors, Routh concealed himself in bushes along the fence near the fifth hole, armed with a military-grade SKS rifle fitted with a scope.
As Trump moved along the course, a U.S. Secret Service agent spotted the rifle barrel protruding through the foliage. The agent immediately confronted Routh, who pointed the weapon toward the agent and the candidate. The intervention, described later in court as decisive and courageous, prevented shots from being fired.
Authorities said Routh had spent months planning the attack, assembling weapons and positioning himself with a clear line of sight. Prosecutors argued that he was prepared to kill “anybody in the way” to achieve his aim.
Conviction on All Counts After Extraordinary Trial
Routh was convicted after a two-and-a-half-week federal trial in which he chose to represent himself, despite repeated warnings from the court. He claimed his actions were a political protest against Trump’s policies rather than an attempt to kill, a defence the jury rejected.
After deliberating for roughly two and a half hours, jurors found him guilty on all counts:
- Attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate
- Assault on a federal law enforcement officer
- Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
- Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon
- Possession of a firearm with an erased serial number
Tensions inside the courtroom peaked when, as the verdict was read, Routh attempted to stab himself in the neck with a pen and had to be restrained by U.S. Marshals.
Judge Rejects Plea for Leniency
Routh’s defence team later sought a sentence of 27 years, citing his age and the difficulties of self-representation. The court rejected that request. Prosecutors argued that only a life sentence reflected the gravity of attacking the democratic process itself.
In a statement to the court, a U.S. attorney said: “Routh’s crimes undeniably warrant a life sentence — he took steps over the course of months to assassinate a major presidential candidate, demonstrated the will to kill anybody in the way, and has since expressed neither regret nor remorse.”
Routh’s lawyers have indicated they plan to appeal, challenging the application of terrorism-related sentence enhancements.
Wider Fallout and International Reaction
The attempted assassination sent shockwaves beyond the United States. Shortly after the attack, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued a brief response, stating simply: “We condemn violence.” While the case had no direct legal or political impact on Malta or the Philippines, it resonated strongly among overseas communities during a volatile U.S. election cycle.
For the millions of migrants and diaspora families closely watching American politics, the incident served as a stark reminder of how political rhetoric can harden into real-world danger.
Related Charges Still Pending
The case has not fully concluded. In March 2025, U.S. prosecutors indicted two alleged associates, Cooper and Oxendine, on firearm trafficking charges linked to Routh. Each faces up to 15 and 10 years in prison respectively, along with fines of up to $250,000.
A Prevented Tragedy, a Lasting Warning
No shots were fired that day in West Palm Beach, but the sentence handed down more than a year later underscores how close the United States came to catastrophe. As a law enforcement official said after the sentencing, addressing Routh directly: “The evil is in you. You were the one that were trying to kill the president of the United States.”
The life sentence closes the legal chapter on the would-be assassin but leaves behind a deeper question — how democracies protect themselves when political anger turns into a loaded rifle in the shadows.
