Ryan Routh, Would-Be Trump Assassin, Tries to Stab Himself After Guilty Verdict

Ryan Routh, Would-Be Trump Assassin, Tries to Stab Himself After Guilty Verdict

Washington, D.C. - - September 12, 2025 - - Ryan Wesley Routh, the 59-year-old man convicted of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, attempted to stab himself in court shortly after a jury found him guilty on all counts, authorities confirmed Friday.

Guilty on All Five Counts

Routh was convicted on five federal charges, including attempted assassination of a former U.S. president, use of a firearm during a violent crime, and assaulting federal officers. The verdict followed a three-week trial that detailed Routh’s plot to kill Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania last year. Prosecutors argued that he acted with “clear premeditation,” citing online manifestos, weapons purchases, and reconnaissance trips to Trump’s events.

The jury deliberated for just over seven hours before returning a unanimous guilty verdict.

Courtroom Chaos

Moments after the verdict was read, Routh reportedly pulled a sharpened object from his clothing and tried to stab himself in the neck. U.S. Marshals and courtroom deputies rushed to restrain him, tackling him to the ground as onlookers gasped. He was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for evaluation. Officials have not disclosed his condition but said his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

Court security is now under review after the breach raised questions about how Routh obtained or concealed the object inside a heavily monitored federal courtroom.

Potential Sentence: Life in Prison

Routh faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Federal sentencing guidelines suggest that, even without enhancements, the mandatory minimum for the firearm charge alone is 30 years. Sentencing is scheduled for later this year, though Routh’s attorneys are expected to file appeals.

Political & Public Reactions

The verdict and subsequent incident drew swift reactions from across the political spectrum.

• Trump campaign officials praised the conviction, calling it a “clear victory for justice” while condemning the security lapse that allowed Routh’s self-harm attempt.

• Democratic lawmakers largely refrained from commentary on the trial itself but urged respect for the judicial process.

• Advocacy groups renewed calls for increased protections around high-profile political figures, citing escalating threats in an election year.

Broader Context

Routh, a former soldier and longtime drifter, had been on law enforcement’s radar in the past for extremist online activity. Prosecutors portrayed him as a radicalized lone actor, while defense attorneys argued he struggled with mental illness and paranoia.

The case has reignited debates about political violence, online radicalization, and the strain on the U.S. Secret Service, which has faced multiple security lapses in recent years.

Ryan Routh’s conviction closes one chapter of a dramatic assassination attempt but opens new questions about courtroom security, political violence, and the fragile state of U.S. political discourse as the nation heads into the 2026 election season.