Ryan Wesley Routh, 59, was sentenced to life plus 84 months in federal prison for the attempted assassination of former presidential candidate Donald J. Trump and related violent and firearms offenses. The sentencing was delivered by U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon after a federal jury convicted Routh on all five counts in the indictment.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “Ryan 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. Thanks to our prosecutors in the National Security Division and the Southern District of Florida, Routh will never walk free again.”
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said, “Routh attempted to assassinate President Trump and thereby cast our Nation into what would have been one of its darkest periods. Today’s sentence is a resounding rejection of political violence and a clear reminder that we resolve our differences through civil discourse, democratic elections, and lawful protest, not by force.”
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida added, “This life sentence reflects a fundamental truth: political violence is un-American and will never be tolerated. An attempted assassination of a presidential candidate is an attack on our democratic process and the rule of law itself. This assassination attempt was stopped by the courage and professionalism of U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Robert Fercano, whose decisive actions protected lives and prevented a national tragedy. Today’s life sentence ensures the defendant will never again threaten public safety and sends a clear message that those who choose violence to advance their beliefs will face swift, certain, and decisive justice.”
FBI Director Kash Patel commented, “Routh’s plan to kill a major presidential candidate, President Donald Trump, was a despicable attack on our democratic system. Thanks to the work of the FBI and our Justice Department partners, he will pay a high price for his actions. Today’s sentencing demonstrates the justice system will not tolerate such heinous attacks.”
Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office noted the collaborative investigation: “Political violence is unacceptable in the United States, and this sentence is commensurate with the gravity of Routh’s actions. The investigation was immense and left no stone unturned. The FBI worked shoulder to shoulder with the Secret Service, ATF, the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. The FBI covered leads across the country and around the globe using all the tools and techniques at our disposal to include FBI Laboratory analysis, the Computer Analysis Response Team and the Cellular Analysis Survey Team. I commend our law enforcement partners and investigative team for their tireless work which led to today’s result.”
A jury found Routh guilty after a two-week trial held in Fort Pierce in September 2025 for attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate as well as assaulting a federal law enforcement officer.
Evidence presented during trial showed that U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Robert Fercano saw Routh aiming what appeared to be an AK 47-style rifle from concealment at Trump International Golf Club while patrolling ahead of then-candidate Trump during his golf game; fearing imminent danger for himself or Trump he fired at Routh who fled.
Authorities recovered from near where Routh had been hiding: an SKS rifle fitted with scope; loaded magazine; steel armor plates; camera pointed toward golf course green where Trump was about to play.
A civilian witness saw Routh flee across a road into an SUV before being apprehended northbound on I-95 by Martin County Sheriff officers with help from Palm Beach County deputies.
A search found multiple mobile phones inside his vehicle along with directions toward Miami International Airport as well as international flight information; cell phone records indicated repeated presence near both golf club grounds and Mar-a-Lago residence between August 18–September 15, 2024.
Testimony also established that earlier in April 2024 he left behind at another person’s residence—a handwritten letter addressed “Dear World” apologizing for failing in his attempt on Donald Trump.
The case was investigated by FBI Miami together with U.S Secret Service and Bureau Alcohol Tobacco Firearms Explosives (ATF), supported locally by Palm Beach & Martin County sheriff offices.
Prosecution involved attorneys from both Southern District Florida & Justice Department National Security Division Counterterrorism Section.
Court documents are available at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-cr-80116.
