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Ryan Routh was found guilty on five counts of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his golf course in Florida last year. The 59-year-old could face up to life in prison after a dramatic trial filled with bizarre courtroom moments, political undertones, and shocking evidence.

Dramatic Verdict and Courtroom Chaos

As the guilty verdict was read, Routh attempted to stab himself in the neck with a pen, prompting U.S. Marshals to wrestle him to the ground. His daughter, Sarah, screamed from the gallery: “Dad, don’t hurt yourself!” Authorities confirmed he was not seriously injured.

Attorney General Pam Bondi later said in a statement on X:

“This verdict illustrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to punishing those who engage in political violence.”

Found Guilty of Failed Plot at Trump’s Golf Course

Prosecutors said Routh perched himself outside the fence of Trump International Golf Club on Sept. 15, 2024, with a rifle, waiting more than 11 hours for Trump to walk into his line of sight. His plan unraveled when a Secret Service agent spotted him and opened fire, forcing him to drop his weapon and flee.

The incident gained international attention, coming just two months after Trump survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania, where a bullet grazed his ear.

A Trial Marked by Outbursts

Routh represented himself in the 12-day trial before Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee. The courtroom saw frequent clashes between Routh and the judge, with Cannon admonishing him for veering off-topic.

At one point, Routh filed a challenge in court, offering Trump a bizarre ultimatum:

“If he wins, he can execute me. I win, I get his job.”

Despite his claims of being “nonviolent,” prosecutors presented cell phone data, writings, and witness testimony showing he had meticulously tracked Trump’s movements. They visited the golf course multiple times before the failed attack.

Trump himself reacted to the conviction on Truth Social, writing:

“This was an evil man with an evil intention, and they caught him. A very big moment for JUSTICE IN AMERICA!”

Routh’s Background and Motives

A former roofer and one-time Trump supporter, Routh voted for him in 2016 but later turned against him after the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Prosecutors highlighted writings, including a self-published book in which he called for Trump’s assassination, partly over foreign policy positions on Iran.

Routh also had a troubled past, including a long criminal record with felony convictions such as possession of an illegal explosive device. He lost the right to own firearms years before the attempted attack.

Online, he presented himself as a democracy advocate for Taiwan and suggested he had traveled to Ukraine to fight against Russian forces.

Political Violence in a Heated Climate

Routh’s conviction comes amid a string of high-profile political violence cases:

• In July 2024, Thomas Matthew Crooks shot at Trump during a Pennsylvania rally, killing a spectator before being fatally shot by law enforcement.
• In April 2025, a man was charged with attempted murder after allegedly setting fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home while his family was inside.
• In Minnesota, Democratic State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in a shooting, with State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife injured.
• On Sept. 10, 2025, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University.

The pattern of attacks underscores rising political violence across the United States.

Routh’s conviction closes one of the most shocking recent chapters in political violence, but it also highlights the continued dangers facing American leaders and public figures. His sentencing is expected in the coming months, with the possibility of life in prison.