Would-be Trump assassin found guilty

Donald Trump (left) and Ryan Routh (right) Image Credit: Fox News

On Tuesday, Ryan Routh was convicted by a federal grand jury of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last September during the 2024 election. Upon hearing the verdict, he attempted to stab himself in the neck with a pen multiple times. United States Marshals restrained him and removed him from the courtroom while the remainder of the proceedings occurred.

After a two-and-a-half hour deliberation by the jury, Ryan Routh was found stalking out Trump's golf course at Mar-a-Lago in Florida with a semiautomatic rifle. A Secret Servicemember spotted him, opening fire on him. He escaped on the interstate, but was apprehended 45 minutes later.

Opening statements notably began the day following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Numerous officials have come forward, saying that his conviction represents the White House's commitment to pursuing and charging agents of political violence.

He was charged with attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for December 18 later this year. Public records and interviews suggest that Routh was becoming increasingly concerned with the war in Ukraine and global events.

Ryan Routh is a 59-year-old building contractor from North Carolina who chose to represent himself in this trial. Following the verdict, he attempted to stab himself in the neck with a desktop pen. Witnesses did not see any blood. He was restrained and led out of the room. On his way out, his daughter, Sara, started yelling in fury and claimed she would fight to get him out of prison. Routh left no comment for reporters following the verdict.