Ryan Routh to Be Sentenced After Attempting to Assassinate Trump in Florida

The man convicted of attempting to assassinate former U.S. President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club in 2024 is set to be sentenced on Wednesday, with prosecutors urging the court to impose a life sentence.

According to Reuters, Ryan Routh, 59, was found guilty last September on five federal charges, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms offences.

Courtroom Incident After Guilty Verdict

After the guilty verdict was read, Routh reportedly attempted to stab himself in the neck with a pen inside the courtroom. Four U.S. Marshals quickly restrained him, preventing serious harm.

The dramatic moment underscored concerns raised by prosecutors about Routh’s mental state and lack of remorse.

Prosecutors Push for Life in Prison

In a sentencing memorandum filed last month, federal prosecutors described Routh as “unrepentant” and said he has never apologized for the danger he posed to Trump, law enforcement officers, and the public.

“Routh remains unrepentant for his crimes, never apologized for the lives he put at risk, and his life demonstrates near-total disregard for law,” prosecutors stated, arguing that a life sentence aligns with federal sentencing guidelines.

Defense Asks for Reduced Sentence

Routh’s new defense attorney, Martin L. Roth, is asking the judge to depart from sentencing guidelines and impose a 20-year prison sentence, in addition to a mandatory seven-year term tied to one of the gun convictions.

“The defendant is two weeks short of being sixty years old,” Roth wrote in a court filing. “A just punishment would allow the defendant to experience freedom again, rather than dying in prison.”

Sentencing Delayed After Legal Change

The sentencing hearing, taking place in Fort Pierce, Florida, was originally scheduled for December. However, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon approved a delay after Routh decided to retain legal counsel for sentencing rather than representing himself, as he had done for most of the trial.

The judge’s decision allowed the defense time to prepare mitigation arguments.