Man sentenced to life for 2024 Trump assassination attempt in Florida

Ryan Routh, 59, was sentenced to life imprisonment plus seven years on Wednesday for his attempt to assassinate Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon handed down the sentence in a Florida courtroom for the incident, which occurred at a golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, in September 2024.

Prosecution's case and defendant's conduct

Prosecutors had sought a life sentence, writing in court documents that Routh "remains totally unrepentant" for his actions. Routh represented himself during the trial last year and was found guilty on all charges, including the attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer. Following the guilty verdict, he reportedly attempted to harm himself with a pen in the courtroom.

Details of the attempted attack

According to trial testimony from a U.S. Secret Service agent, Routh was observed aiming a rifle at the agent before Trump came into view. The agent opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without discharging a shot. This swift intervention by the Secret Service prevented a potentially lethal outcome at the Florida golf course.

Context of a second assassination attempt

This sentencing relates to the second known assassination attempt against Trump in 2024. The first occurred earlier that year at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where a bullet grazed the former president's ear. Trump went on to win the November 2024 election and returned to the White House in January 2025. The consecutive attempts have highlighted persistent and severe security challenges surrounding high-profile political figures in the United States.