• Ryan Routh found guilty of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump during a golf outing in September 2024.
• Routh defended himself in court and faces up to life in prison.
• This was the second assassination attempt against Trump in 2024.
• The court proceedings highlighted Routh's unusual defense strategies and bizarre statements.
• Federal prosecutors emphasized Routh's "intent" despite the rifle never being fired.

A Florida jury has found Ryan Routh guilty of an assassination attempt against then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, convicting him on all five charges, which include attempted assassination and multiple firearm offenses. The incident took place on September 15, 2024, at Trump's golf course in West Palm Beach, where Routh concealed himself in bushes and aimed a rifle at a Secret Service agent, leading to his arrest without the weapon being fired, according to CBS News, BBC, and NPR.

Routh, 59, made the unusual decision to represent himself during the trial, which lasted two and a half weeks. His defense was marked by inconsistent strategies, where he attempted to introduce irrelevant topics in his arguments, including challenging Trump to a golf game and discussing historical figures like Adolf Hitler and Vladimir Putin. These unusual tactics led the judge to intervene multiple times to maintain order in the courtroom, stating that Routh needed to focus on trial evidence, according to BBC and NPR.

During the trial, federal prosecutors argued that Routh had prepared for an attempt on Trump's life, citing evidence that included his possession of a semiautomatic rifle and a detailed list of Trump's public appearances. The prosecution presented extensive evidence, which included the testimony of 38 witnesses to affirm Routh's premeditated intent to kill Trump, demonstrating that "mere planning" is sufficient for a charge of attempted assassination, as outlined by the prosecution, according to CBS News, BBC, and NPR.

This assassination attempt was notably the second high-profile attack on Trump in that year, following an incident in July 2024 at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump was shot in the ear amidst the gunfire, resulting in casualties. The seriousness of the situation raised concerns regarding the safety and security of political figures, underscoring the volatile environment surrounding the 2024 election, according to CBS News, BBC, and NPR.