Nearly five months after a jury found him guilty on all counts, Ryan Routh returns to a Florida courtroom today, February 4, 2026, to learn his fate. Routh, convicted of a 2024 plot to assassinate Donald Trump, faces a sentencing hearing that could see him spend the rest of his life behind bars.
The sentencing follows a trial in September 2025, during which Routh was found guilty of five federal charges, including the attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and several firearm violations.
Prosecutors are aggressively seeking a life sentence, arguing that Routh’s actions were the result of a cold, calculated plan to alter the course of American history.
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Routh’s road to conviction was punctuated by courtroom drama. During his September trial, he made the “disastrous” decision to represent himself. The proceedings were frequently interrupted as presiding Judge Aileen Cannon was forced to repeatedly reprimand Routh for his conduct.
Despite his efforts to argue his own defense, the evidence presented by the government was overwhelming:
- The Sniper’s Nest: Prosecutors detailed how Routh built a concealed position near the West Palm Beach golf course, waiting with a rifle for the then-candidate to appear.
- Meticulous Planning: Evidence showed Routh had tracked plane movements and researched Trump’s schedule for weeks prior to the September 15, 2024, incident.
- The Thwarted Attack: The plot was only foiled when a Secret Service agent spotted Routh’s rifle barrel poking through the perimeter fence and opened fire, sending Routh fleeing.
“No Regret nor Remorse”
In their sentencing memorandum, federal prosecutors emphasized that Routh remains a significant threat to public safety. They noted that since his arrest and subsequent conviction, he has “expressed neither regret nor remorse” for his attempt on the President’s life.
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U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has previously characterized the conviction as a vital strike against political violence. This afternoon, Judge Cannon will decide if Routh’s actions warrant the life sentence requested by the Department of Justice.
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