Attempted Assassin of Donald Trump Found Guilty, Attempts Self-Harm in Court

Wed Oct 22 2025 05:15:44 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Ryan Routh, who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump in Florida last year, was found guilty on multiple counts and reportedly tried to harm himself during his court proceedings.

Ryan Routh, 59, who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump during a golf event in Florida, was found guilty of all charges after a two-hour jury deliberation. His conviction includes charges of attempting to kill a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and possessing firearms as a convicted felon. After the verdict, he attempted to stab himself with a pen in the courtroom, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. Routh defended himself in court but did not testify, and witnesses reported his violent past and erratic behavior. His case raises concerns about political violence and the safety of public figures.

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — A man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at a Florida golf course last year has been found guilty on all counts related to his violent actions. Following a two-hour deliberation, the jury concluded that Ryan Routh was guilty of charges including attempting to kill a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms offenses.

In a startling turn of events, after the verdict was announced on Tuesday, Routh attempted to harm himself in the courtroom by trying to stab himself in the neck with a pen. Court officers quickly intervened, dragging him out as his daughter, Sara Routh, screamed her support, insisting her father didn’t intend to hurt anyone. She claimed the case was rigged against him.

Routh, who pleaded not guilty, made efforts to defend himself but only called three witnesses compared to the prosecution’s 38 witnesses over a lengthy trial. Prosecutors detailed Routh's premeditated plotting to assassinate Trump at his golf event in West Palm Beach in September 2024, with testimony indicating he aimed a rifle at the former president.

Despite arguing that he never intended to pull the trigger, the prosecution’s case was bolstered by law enforcement accounts of his actions and history, revealing a pattern of violent behavior and a tumultuous past that included attempted recruitments to engage in warfare abroad. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the gravity of the conviction as an affirmation of the commitment to combat political violence.

As Routh awaits sentencing, he faces not only federal charges but also ongoing state charges of terrorism and attempted murder. His actions have sparked dialogue about the risks associated with political figures and public safety.