Attempted Trump assassin Ryan Routh was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday for plotting to kill then-candidate Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course in September 2024.
As reported on Thursday’s AM Update, the 59 year old was convicted in September on five federal counts, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assault of a federal law enforcement officer, and multiple firearms offenses.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon imposed additional concurrent sentences of 84 months for the possession of a firearm during a violent crime, 240 months for assault on a federal officer, 18 months for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and 60 months for possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Routh appeared in court yesterday wearing a tan prison uniform and shackles. At the end of his trial in September 2025, Routh attempted to stab himself in the neck with a pen as the jury’s decision was read, which led marshals to remove him from the courtroom, bind him in shackles, and then escort him back in for the remainder of the proceedings.
Throughout the two week trial, Routh chose to represent himself, but he was assigned a court-appointed defense attorney, Martin Roth, ahead of the sentencing.
Roth argued for leniency for client, while prosecutors countered that Routh showed no remorse for his actions, which included stalking Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property for weeks and plotting to gun him down during a golf outing. A Secret Service agent noticed the barrel of a gun poking through shrubs and opened fire, sending Routh fleeing. He was apprehended a short time later.
Judge Cannon addressed Routh directly saying, “Your plot to kill is deliberate and evil, despite your feigned peacefulness. You demonstrated your intent to kill. You almost achieved your evil plan.”
Routh’s attorney told reporters after the hearing they plan to appeal the sentence. “I think Ryan is a remarkable person. I think he did things that most of us would never even think to do. So, for example, for him to go to Ukraine and volunteer, to join the front lines and be a soldier to fight against the Russian invasion. How many people would do that, and what does that say about his character,” he claimed. “I will be filing a notice of appeal in this case.”
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