Ryan Wesley Routh
Ryan Wesley Routh, 59, was sentenced today to life in federal prison plus an extra 84 months for trying to kill Donald J. Trump, who was running for president at the time, as well as other violent and gun-related crimes. Aileen M. Cannon, a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Florida, gave Routh the sentence after he was found guilty on all five counts in the federal indictment. The trial took place in Fort Pierce, Florida, for two weeks in September 2025, and the jury found the defendant guilty. Federal officials called the case one of the worst attacks on the democratic process in the United States in recent history.
Federal Officials Condemn Attack on Democratic System
Pamela Bondi, the Attorney General, said that the attempted assassination was a direct attack on American democracy.
“Ryan Wesley Routh’s heinous attempted assassination of President Trump was not only an attack on our President — it was a direct assault against our entire democratic system,” Bondi said. “Routh will never walk free again.”
FBI Director Kash Patel agreed with those feelings and stressed how serious the crime was and what would happen as a result.
“Routh’s plan to kill a major presidential candidate was a despicable attack on our democratic system,” Patel said. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates the justice system will not tolerate such heinous attacks.”
Assassination Attempt at Trump International Golf Club
Evidence shown at trial showed that the attempted murder happened close to Trump International Golf Club in Florida. Robert Fercano, a special agent with the U.S. Secret Service, was patrolling one hole ahead of President Trump when he saw Routh hiding behind a fence line and aiming what looked like an AK-47-style rifle from a sniper’s hide. Agent Fercano shot at Routh because he was afraid for his own life and the life of President Trump. Routh ran away right away. Later, police said that the agent’s quick action stopped what could have been a national tragedy.
Weapons, Surveillance Equipment, and Body Armor Recovered
Investigators recovered significant evidence at the scene, including:
- A Norinco SKS rifle equipped with a scope
- A loaded magazine with 19 rounds of ammunition and one round chambered
- Steel armor plates
- A camera affixed to the fence, aimed directly at the golf course’s sixth green, where President Trump was expected to play
The setup demonstrated premeditation, surveillance, and intent to carry out a targeted assassination.
Arrest Following Multi-Agency Manhunt
A civilian witness said they saw Ryan Wesley Routh run across a road and get into a black Nissan Xterra. With that information, officers from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, with help from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, stopped Routh while he was driving north on Interstate 95. A search of Ryan Wesley Routh’s car turned up several cell phones and a list of international flights, as well as directions to Miami International Airport, which could have been part of a plan to get away. Cell phone records showed that Routh’s phone connected to cell towers near both Trump International Golf Club and President Trump’s home at Mar-a-Lago many times between August 18 and September 15, 2024.
Handwritten Letter Confirmed Assassination Intent
Testimony at the trial also showed that Routh had left a box at the home of a witness earlier in 2024. There was a handwritten letter inside the box that said “Dear World.”
In the letter, Routh explicitly admitted his intentions, writing:
“This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I am so sorry I failed you.”
Prosecutors cited the letter as direct evidence of intent, eliminating any doubt about the motive behind the attack.
Jury Conviction and Life Sentence
The jury found Routh guilty of:
- Attempted murder of a major candidate for president
- Attack on a federal law enforcement officer
- Several gun crimes
Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg said that the sentence was a clear rejection of violence in politics.
“This sentence is a resounding reminder that we resolve our differences through civil discourse and democratic elections — not by force,” Eisenberg said.
Jason A. Reding Quiñones, the U.S. Attorney, stressed that the life sentence means Routh will never again put public safety at risk.
Landmark Case Against Political Violence
The FBI Miami Field Office was in charge of the investigation, which worked closely with the U.S. Secret Service, the ATF, and local police. Officials said that the investigation was very thorough and included leads from all over the country and the world, as well as forensic analysis and a review of digital evidence. The federal government says the sentence sends a strong message: the US will not put up with political violence. Prosecutors say that today’s decision is fair and that quick action by law enforcement stopped a possible national disaster. Learn More U.S related News on Newsaxee
Reference Links
- U.S. Department of Justice – Official Press Releases
https://www.justice.gov/news - Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Newsroom
https://www.fbi.gov/news - U.S. Secret Service – Protective Operations & Investigations
https://www.secretservice.gov/investigation - U.S. Attorney’s Office – Southern District of Florida
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl - Federal Courts – Criminal Sentencing Information
https://www.uscourts.gov - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
https://www.atf.gov - Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
https://www.pbso.org - Martin County Sheriff’s Office
https://www.mcso.us
