Ryan Routh Facing State Charges Related To Alleged Trump Assassination Attempt

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has announced state charges against Ryan Routh, who was accused of an assassination plot targeting President Donald Trump last year.

Key Insights

Ryan Routh, who was charged federally for allegedly trying to assassinate President Donald Trump, now faces state terrorism and attempted murder charges in Florida.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier accuses the Biden administration of obstructing the state’s investigation.
Routh’s alleged assassination attempt occurred at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course in September 2024.
Routh potentially faces a life sentence if found guilty of the assassination attempt charge.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis initiated a state investigation after the incident.

Attorney General’s Determined Response

Ryan Routh, already detained on federal charges regarding an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, now faces additional state terrorism and attempted murder charges. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced these charges this past week. Uthmeier stated, “Attempting to take the life of a former president and a leading presidential candidate isn’t just an attack on one man, this was a political attack against our Republican form of government and our shared American values.”

Routh allegedly planned the assassination at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course in September 2024, but his intentions were thwarted by the Secret Service. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, under director Kash Patel and US Attorney General Pam Bondi, cooperated effectively with state authorities despite alleged federal hindrances. Law enforcement discovered that Routh had scouted West Palm Beach earlier in the year, underlining the alleged plan’s premeditated nature.

Florida to charge would-be President Trump's assassination suspect Ryan Routh with state-level attempted first-degree murder and terrorism. https://t.co/vIgHZ72yKY

— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 10, 2025

Federal and State Legal Battles

Federal authorities charged Routh with numerous offenses, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate and illegal firearm possession. His federal court date remains set for September, with adequate time allocated to ensure his attorneys review substantial evidence. With state charges now pending, Uthmeier criticized the Biden administration, accusing it of creating hurdles throughout the prosecution process.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced after the incident that the state would launch a state-led investigation, aimed at unearthing additional angles of Routh’s assassination plot.

If convicted of the attempted assassination charge, Ryan Routh could face a life sentence, reflecting the gravity of his alleged crimes. The unfolding legal battles between state and federal entities highlight tensions within national law enforcement mechanisms.