A federal judge on Wednesday delivered a sweeping rebuke to political violence by sentencing Ryan Routh to spend the rest of his life in prison for attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at his Florida golf course in September 2024.
U.S. Judge Aileen Cannon imposed a life sentence plus an additional seven years after a jury convicted Routh on five felony counts tied to the foiled plot. Before handing down the punishment, Cannon condemned Routh’s actions in blunt terms, calling him an “evil” man and praising law enforcement officers and witnesses who intervened before the attack could be carried out, according to a report from a West Palm Beach television affiliate.
“Despite all the evil we see, there is a sliver of hope, a sliver of light,” Cannon said from the bench, underscoring her view that the justice system worked as intended in stopping the attack and holding the defendant accountable.
Prosecutors had urged the court to impose the harshest possible sentence, arguing that Routh’s conduct represented a calculated and sustained effort to murder a major presidential candidate and interfere with the democratic process. The jury last year agreed, finding Routh guilty after a two-and-a-half-week trial on charges including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer.
According to prosecutors, Routh hid in the bushes at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, pointing a military-grade SKS rifle toward Trump and a Secret Service agent. They described his actions as the result of careful plotting and extensive premeditation, carried out over months.
“Routh’s crimes undeniably warrant a life sentence,” prosecutors wrote in a court filing, arguing that he showed a willingness to kill anyone who stood in his way and has expressed neither regret nor remorse since his arrest. They said his motive was “unconscionable,” aimed at preventing Americans from electing the candidate of their choice.
Routh chose to represent himself at trial, despite repeated warnings from the court about the risks of doing so. He attempted to portray his actions as a form of protest against Trump’s policies and claimed he never intended to harm the president or the Secret Service agent. After the jury returned guilty verdicts, Routh attempted to stab himself with a pen in front of jurors.
Following his conviction, Routh was appointed an attorney and sought a reduced sentence of 27 years, arguing it would allow him to experience freedom again. His lawyer claimed Routh could not have received a fair trial because he represented himself and lacked the ability to effectively confront witnesses or introduce evidence regarding his intent.
Routh also submitted letters from friends and underwent a psychiatric evaluation suggesting he suffers from narcissistic personality disorder and bipolar II disorder. One letter described him as an asset to his community who deserved a chance to return home.
Prosecutors rejected those arguments, pointing to Routh’s recent writings, which they said showed continued hostility and a lack of remorse. In one filing, Routh referenced an earlier attempt on Trump’s life and wrote about waiting decades for an appeal. In another, he suggested Trump should personally punish him.
Cannon, who was appointed by Trump, rejected efforts by Routh to remove her from the case, including claims that her appointment created a conflict of interest. With the sentence imposed, the case stands as a stark reminder of the consequences for those who resort to political violence.
