Man Sentenced to Life for Attempted Assassination of Trump

Ryan Wesley Routh received a life sentence plus 84 months for trying to kill the former president in 2024.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Ryan Wesley Routh was sentenced to life in prison plus 84 months for his attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida in September 2024. Routh was convicted of multiple charges, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and firearms-related offenses.

Why it matters

The attempted assassination on Trump was seen as a direct attack on the democratic process, with the Attorney General stating that political violence in the US will never be tolerated. The sentencing sends a strong message, but also highlights ongoing concerns about political violence and rhetoric in the country.

The details

Testimony revealed that Routh had dropped off a box at a witness's residence in April 2024 containing a handwritten letter stating 'This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I am so sorry I failed you.' Routh also offered $150,000 for anyone who could 'complete the job.' At the time of the attempted assassination, US Secret Service agents shot at Routh as he pointed an AK-47-style rifle through a fence, but Trump was unharmed.

  • In September 2024, Routh attempted to assassinate Trump at one of his golf courses in West Palm Beach, Florida.
  • Routh was convicted of the charges in September 2024.
  • Routh was sentenced to life in prison plus 84 months on February 6, 2026.

The players

Ryan Wesley Routh

A man who was sentenced to life in prison plus 84 months for attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump in 2024.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who was the target of Routh's attempted assassination in 2024.

Pam Bondi

The Attorney General who celebrated Routh's sentence, stating his 'heinous' attempted assassination was a 'direct assault against our entire democratic system'.

Jason A. Reding Quiñones

The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida who said the life sentence sent a message that political violence in the US will 'never be tolerated'.

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What they’re saying

“This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I am so sorry I failed you.”

— Ryan Wesley Routh (Department of Justice press release)

“His heinous attempted assassination of President Trump was a direct assault against our entire democratic system, and he will never walk free again.”

— Pam Bondi, Attorney General (Department of Justice press release)

“The life sentence sent out a broader message that political violence in the United States is un-American and will never be tolerated.”

— Jason A. Reding Quiñones, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida (Department of Justice press release)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Ryan Wesley Routh out on bail pending any appeals.

The takeaway

This attempted assassination highlights the ongoing threat of political violence in the US, with the sentencing sending a strong message that such acts will not be tolerated. However, concerns remain about the role of political rhetoric in fueling these incidents, as indicated by survey data showing partisan divides on the sources of political violence.