Ryan Wesley Routh Sentenced to Life in Prison for Assassination Attempt on Trump

US District Judge Aileen Cannon sentenced Ryan Wesley Routh to life in prison plus seven years on Wednesday, for the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump in Sept. 2024.

The Details: Cannon, who Trump appointed in 2020, called Routh "evil" but pointed to "a sliver of hope, a sliver of light" through the justice system's handling of the case. Routh's defense unsuccessfully pushed for a lighter sentence of 20 years for the assassination attempt charges, in addition to the mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years for a firearm offense. The defense announced plans to appeal the ruling and claimed Routh was unfit to represent himself during his trial.

Key Quotes: "Routh's crimes undeniably warrant a life sentence," the prosecution argued. "He took steps over the course of months to assassinate a major presidential candidate, demonstrated the will to kill anybody in the way, and has since expressed neither regret nor remorse to his victims." The defense argued, "Defendant recognizes that he was found guilty by the jury but asserts that the jury was misled by his inability to effectively confront witnesses, use exhibits, or affirmatively introduce impeachment evidence designed to prove his lack of intent to cause injury to anyone."

For Context: Routh's actions marked the second attempt on Trump's life during his 2024 presidential campaign. Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, opened fire at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024, grazing Trump and killing attendee Corey Comperatore, who died while shielding his family. Routh was found guilty of his attempt to assassinate Trump in Sept. 2025, after creating a "sniper's nest" on Trump International Golf Club and pointing a rifle toward Trump in Sept. 2024. The 60-year-old IT specialist unsuccessfully claimed that any intentions to kill could not be proven because he fired no shots. Routh attempted to stab himself with a pen after his conviction was announced in court. 

How The Media Covered It: Outlets across the political spectrum highlighted Routh's diagnosis of Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Bipolar II after his arrest. However, The Washington Times (Lean Right) said the psychiatrist's evaluation "ultimately acknowledged that Routh had no basis to claim incompetence, insanity, or diminished capacity." The outlet also noted, "Routh's attorney asked that he receive mental health treatment in custody after his sentencing." Outlets on the left mentioned that less frequently. However, The Wall Street Journal (Center) more specifically noted Routh's reported openness to treatment. ABC News (Lean Left) highlighted, "Routh unsuccessfully attempted to have Cannon removed from the case by arguing her appointment by Trump is a conflict of interest," while both The Washington Times and The Wall Street Journal omitted that detail.

Written by the AllSides staff (of humans). Learn more. Support our mission. Suggest an improvement to this summary.