WASHINGTON D.C. — Ryan Routh, 59, who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at one of his golf courses in 2024, remains “unrepentant” for his actions, according to federal prosecutors. The Justice Department is seeking the maximum life sentence for Routh, who was convicted of multiple charges, including attempted assassination, assault on a federal officer, and firearm violations.
Routh, who represented himself during his trial, has expressed disagreement with his conviction, claiming that “the jury was misled” during the trial, which contributed to his guilty verdict. He maintains that he never intended to harm anyone, despite overwhelming evidence of his premeditated plot to kill Trump.
Details of the Assassination Plot
Prosecutors revealed that Routh spent months planning the assassination, targeting Trump during his campaign for the 2024 presidential election. Routh traveled from North Carolina to the West Palm Beach area in March 2024, setting up a sniper hide near a golf course where Trump was scheduled to play.
He planned to kill Trump in order to prevent him from running for re-election, an act that prosecutors say was designed to violently alter the future of the United States.
The plot was foiled when Routh’s sniper hide was discovered, and he was arrested shortly after the attempt. According to the government’s sentencing memo, Routh’s actions were not impulsive but part of a calculated scheme that put the lives of Trump, a Secret Service agent, and others in danger. The memo calls Routh’s crimes “careful plotting, extensive premeditation, and a cowardly disregard for human life.”
Routh’s Defense and Request for Leniency
Despite the severity of the charges, Routh is seeking a lenient sentence. In a newly filed sentencing variance request, he acknowledged his conviction but denied that he intended to kill Trump.
Routh, who is nearing 60 years old, argues that a sentence of 20 years, with mandatory additional time, would be sufficient for punishment and allow him the opportunity to experience freedom again.
Routh’s defense also emphasized his age, arguing that he would no longer pose a threat to the public if he were incarcerated into his 80s. His filing further asserts that a shorter sentence would be just and provide the necessary correctional and mental health treatment.
Prosecutors’ Position on Sentencing
Federal prosecutors, however, are steadfast in their stance that Routh’s actions warrant a maximum sentence of life in prison. They argue that Routh’s refusal to show remorse for his actions demonstrates a near-total disregard for the law.
The Justice Department’s memo underscores that Routh has never apologized for his crimes or the lives he endangered during his attempted assassination of the former president.
“The Constitution affords citizens many peaceful avenues to oppose or express strong dissent about a Presidential candidate — murder is not one of them,” the Justice Department states in its memo, concluding that Routh’s crimes “undeniably warrant a life sentence.”
Family’s Response and Allegations of Bias
In the wake of Routh’s conviction, his daughter, Sara Routh, spoke out against the legal proceedings. She criticized U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon for her role in the trial, accusing her of bias due to her past association with Trump, particularly citing Cannon’s dismissal of charges against Trump in the Mar-a-Lago case. Sara Routh argued that her father’s trial was unfairly influenced by political biases.
The trial resulted in a guilty verdict after only two hours of deliberation, with the jury unanimously agreeing on Routh’s guilt.
Legal Proceedings and Upcoming Sentencing
Routh’s sentencing is scheduled to take place in the coming months, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for January 26, 2025. Despite his plea for a reduced sentence, the Justice Department continues to push for the maximum penalty, emphasizing the severity of his crime and the lack of remorse shown by the defendant.
