Court Details and Judge’s Statement
Judge Aileen Cannon stated that Routh’s actions “undeniably warrant a life sentence.” She highlighted that he had planned the attack for months, showed a willingness to harm anyone in his way, and expressed no remorse for his actions.
Routh pleaded not guilty and chose to represent himself during the trial, which began on September 8. His behavior in court was erratic, including references to Adolf Hitler, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and even challenging Trump to a golf game.
Evidence Against Routh
Federal agents recovered a semiautomatic rifle with a scope and extended magazine at the site where Routh had been hiding. They also found a list of places Trump was likely to appear and a note describing the incident as an assassination attempt.
Although Routh never had a clear line of sight to Trump, prosecutors presented what they described as a “mountain of evidence” showing how close he came to carrying out the attack.
Disturbing Court Behavior
After the jury found him guilty, Routh attempted to stab himself in the neck with a pen.During his closing statement, he spoke in the third person and touched on unrelated topics, including U.S. history, the Russia-Ukraine war, and plans to buy a boat, prompting repeated interruptions from the judge.
Previous Attempt on Trump’s Life
This Florida incident was the second attempt on Trump’s life in 2024. In July, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks opened fire at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania
