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.
