Ryan Routh Tries to Stab Himself After Guilty Verdict in Donald Trump Assassination Attempt Case in Florida

North Carolina's Ryan Wesley Rout was convicted Thursday on all charges for attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at his Florida golf course. The trial ended in chaos when Routh tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen moments after the jury announced its decision.

The case stems from an incident in September 2024 at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. According to a Fox News report, federal prosecutors said Routh, 59, traveled to Florida with the intent to kill Trump, who was playing a round of golf at the time. According to testimony, Routh hid in heavy shrubbery near the course with a rifle positioned toward the fairway. Secret Service agents spotted him crouched with the weapon, and when they moved in, he fled the scene.

Evidence presented at trial included surveillance images, burner phones, and travel records that prosecutors said proved weeks of planning. Investigators told jurors that Routh used aliases and encrypted communications to avoid detection. Agents also described finding additional weapons and ammunition in his vehicle.

"This was an organized, deliberate attempt to assassinate a presidential candidate," prosecutors told the jury. "Routh did not stumble into that golf course. He was prepared, he was armed, and he intended to carry out his plan."

Routh, who represented himself in court, repeatedly argued that he never pulled the trigger and that his actions did not amount to attempted assassination. He told jurors, "The government wants you to believe I was there to murder someone. I was not. There is no evidence of any shot fired." Throughout the trial, Judge Aileen Cannon warned Routh to follow courtroom rules as he cross-examined witnesses and challenged the government's evidence.

The jury deliberated for only a few hours before finding him guilty of attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, several firearms charges, and assault on federal officers. As the verdict was read, Routh grabbed a pen from the defense table and tried to plunge it into his neck. Marshals and courtroom deputies rushed to restrain him, and he was removed while the room erupted in shock. Officials later confirmed he sustained minor injuries.

The dramatic ending underscored the seriousness of a case that had already raised national alarm. Routh faces a possible life sentence when he is formally sentenced. No date has been set, but prosecutors said they would seek the maximum penalty given the gravity of the crime.

The attempted attack highlighted ongoing concerns about the safety of high-profile political figures. Trump, who was at his West Palm Beach course that day, was quickly evacuated and unharmed. Secret Service officials testified that the incident prompted a review of security protocols for candidates during the 2024 campaign season.

Outside the courtroom, Justice Department officials described the verdict as a reminder that threats against political leaders will be prosecuted aggressively. "The jury has spoken, and justice has been served," one official said after the hearing. "Anyone who attempts violence against elected officials or candidates will face the full force of federal law."

The trial also offered a glimpse into the unusual behavior of Routh, who insisted on defending himself and often clashed with the judge and prosecutors. Observers described the courtroom atmosphere as tense, with Routh at times making rambling statements about his motives and accusing the government of misrepresentation.