Attempted Trump assassin found guilty on all charges

By JON MICHAEL RAASCH, US POLITICAL REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

Ryan Routh has been found guilty on all charges related to his attempted assassination of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in September 2024. Routh, 59, was caught by authorities during a manhunt in Palm Beach, Florida , last year after Secret Service agents spotted him in some bushes outside of one of Trump's golf courses as the Republican played a round. A gun and a camera were found at the scene where Routh fled.

Ryan Routh has been found guilty on all charges related to his attempted assassination of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in September 2024. Routh, 59, was caught by authorities during a manhunt in Palm Beach, Florida , last year after Secret Service agents spotted him in some bushes outside of one of Trump's golf courses as the Republican played a round. A gun and a camera were found at the scene where Routh fled.

The jurors reached a unanimous verdict after deliberating for just over two hours. 'Today’s guilty verdict against would-be Trump assassin Ryan Routh illustrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to punishing those who engage in political violence,' Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X after the verdict was reached. 'This attempted assassination was not only an attack on our President, but an affront to our very nation itself.'

The jurors reached a unanimous verdict after deliberating for just over two hours. 'Today’s guilty verdict against would-be Trump assassin Ryan Routh illustrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to punishing those who engage in political violence,' Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X after the verdict was reached. 'This attempted assassination was not only an attack on our President, but an affront to our very nation itself.'

Routh was found guilty of five charges related to his assassination attempt. His charges include: attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, attempted assassination of a possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer.

Routh was found guilty of five charges related to his assassination attempt. His charges include: attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, attempted assassination of a possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer.

The attempted assassination occurred just nine weeks after the presidential candidate survived an attempted assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania. He was spotted by a Secret Service agent who spotted the barrel of Routh's Chinese-made SKS rifle sticking out of the bushes of the sixth hole.

The attempted assassination occurred just nine weeks after the presidential candidate survived an attempted assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania. He was spotted by a Secret Service agent who spotted the barrel of Routh's Chinese-made SKS rifle sticking out of the bushes of the sixth hole.

Special Agent Robert Fercano testified he drew his weapon and fired at the barrel and face of a man behind it, after he saw the barrel track his movements. He described the situation as a 'textbook ambush scenario' during the trial and spoke directly to Routh.

Special Agent Robert Fercano testified he drew his weapon and fired at the barrel and face of a man behind it, after he saw the barrel track his movements. He described the situation as a 'textbook ambush scenario' during the trial and spoke directly to Routh.

'I saw you in the bushes … you smiled at me,' Fercano said during the trial. Routh fled the scene after he was shot at and tried to escape the Secret Service. Routh represented himself in his federal trial.

'I saw you in the bushes … you smiled at me,' Fercano said during the trial. Routh fled the scene after he was shot at and tried to escape the Secret Service. Routh represented himself in his federal trial.

'What is intent? ... Why are we here? What is our intent? To love one another … Is this so difficult?' he asked at one point during his trial, according to live coverage of the court proceedings.

'What is intent? ... Why are we here? What is our intent? To love one another … Is this so difficult?' he asked at one point during his trial, according to live coverage of the court proceedings.

While defending himself, Routh referred to Adolf Hitler, Vladimir Putin, Sudan, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his speech.

While defending himself, Routh referred to Adolf Hitler, Vladimir Putin, Sudan, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his speech.

Donald TrumpPoliticsPennsylvaniaFlorida

Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.