A US Federal judge has sentenced Ryan Routh, a 60-year-old man, to life in prison for attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump during the 2024 election campaign. Routh was convicted on five felony counts related to a planned sniper-style attack at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump was campaigning for re-election. Prosecutors revealed that Routh meticulously planned the attack, studying Trump’s movements, the golf course layout, and acquiring firearms and ammunition.
Routh, who hid near the golf course waiting for Trump to arrive, was spotted by a Secret Service agent with a semi-automatic rifle. Upon confrontation, Routh fled but was apprehended shortly after abandoning the weapon. The sentencing judge, Aileen Cannon, handed down a life sentence in Fort Pierce, Florida, along with an additional seven years for another count in the indictment.
During the trial, Routh represented himself and claimed he never intended to kill Trump. However, the jury found him guilty on all counts after deliberating for about two hours. Following the verdict, Routh attempted self-harm in court but was restrained by US Marshals. Despite apologizing for the trial’s inconvenience, Routh’s new attorney argued for a 27-year prison term instead of life imprisonment, emphasizing the unsuccessful nature of the attack.
Prosecutors disagreed, citing Routh’s detailed planning and motive to disrupt the election process. A psychiatric evaluation revealed Routh’s mental health conditions, including Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Bipolar II disorder. The case occurred amid heightened political tensions during the 2024 US election campaign, following a prior assassination attempt on Trump.
