Would-be Trump assassin Ryan Routh sentenced to life in prison

Routh hid with a rifle near Trump's golf course, but was caught and convicted before he could carry out the attack.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Ryan Routh, the man who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club in 2024, has been sentenced to life in federal prison. Routh hid in the shrubbery along the fence line of Trump's golf course with a rifle, but was spotted by a Secret Service agent who opened fire, causing Routh to flee. Routh was later caught on a nearby interstate and convicted after a two-week trial in which he represented himself.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing threat of political violence and the challenges law enforcement faces in protecting public figures. Routh's history of attempting to insert himself into international conflicts and his obsession with assassinating world leaders like Putin and Trump raise concerns about the potential for more such attacks in the future.

The details

Routh hid in the shrubbery along the fence line of Trump's West Palm Beach golf club with a rifle, waiting to shoot the former president as he golfed. A Secret Service agent walking ahead of Trump spotted Routh aiming the rifle and opened fire, causing Routh to flee. Routh was later caught on a nearby interstate, and a witness who saw him fleeing the golf course was flown by helicopter to identify him. At trial, Routh represented himself and argued he never intended to kill anyone, but the jury convicted him after just two hours of deliberation.

  • Two months before the 2024 election, Routh attempted the assassination.
  • On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Routh was sentenced in federal court.

The players

Ryan Routh

The would-be assassin who hid with a rifle near Trump's golf course in an attempt to kill the former president.

Robert Fercano

The Secret Service agent who spotted Routh's rifle and opened fire, causing Routh to flee.

Aileen Cannon

The judge who presided over Routh's trial, during which he represented himself and made a number of unusual court filings.

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What they’re saying

“It's hard for me to believe that a crime occurred if the trigger was never pulled,”

— Ryan Routh (krqe.com)

What’s next

Routh also faces state charges of terrorism and attempted murder in addition to the federal conviction.

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing threat of political violence and the need for robust security measures to protect public figures, as well as the challenges in identifying and stopping would-be assassins before they can carry out their plans.