A Florida jury has convicted Ryan Routh, 59, on all charges for his attempted assassination of President Donald Trump at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf club last year. The guilty verdict follows nearly three weeks of testimony and closes a case that underscored both the persistence of political violence and the determination of prosecutors to pursue accountability.

Routh faced five counts, including attempting to assassinate the president, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms offenses. Jurors were presented with extensive evidence that Routh had engaged in months of planning. Prosecutors laid out surveillance trips to the property, internet searches of Trump’s travel and rallies, and physical evidence including an SKS rifle loaded with 19 rounds, discovered near the 6th hole of the course.

Trump himself was only one hole away at the time. Secret Service agents spotted the barrel of Routh’s rifle protruding from the brush, prompting his arrest before he could take a shot. It was, in many ways, his own carelessness that prevented tragedy.

The government also introduced gloves, digital records, and forensic material tying Routh to the rifle and to what investigators described as a sniper’s hide. Taken together, the evidence painted a picture of a man who had not only threatened Trump but had taken substantial steps toward carrying out an attack.

Routh represented himself in court, declining to mount much of a defense. His questioning of witnesses was minimal, and his presentation lasted only hours compared to the government’s week-long case. He called just two witnesses, neither of whom could rebut the central evidence against him.

The trial ended with dramatic scenes. As the jury returned its unanimous verdict, Routh reportedly attempted to stab himself in the neck with a pen before being subdued by U.S. Marshals. His daughter, present in the courtroom, shouted that the process was unfair and “rigged.” Both episodes highlighted the unorthodox and volatile nature of the proceedings.

Routh now faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Sentencing is expected in the coming months.

The verdict comes 13 days after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10th, and just months after the attempted assassination of President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a counter-sniper neutralized the gunman. Together, these episodes underscore the climate of escalating violence against conservative leaders.

Yet while conservatives see a disturbing pattern, the political left is quick to insist on a “both sides” framing. Any time a leftist carries out or plots violence, commentators scramble to highlight supposed right-wing parallels, diluting responsibility. Worse, when conservatives are the targets, the same voices often pivot to calls for “unity” — even though it is their own side holding the smoking gun.

For conservatives, the Routh conviction is more than a courtroom drama — it is a reminder that political violence is real, that President Trump has now survived multiple assassination attempts, and that leaders like Charlie Kirk are being struck down in broad daylight. If America is to remain a republic where ideas prevail over intimidation, then these acts must be named for what they are and confronted without excuse or equivocation.

Michael J. Hout is Editor-in-Chief of Liberty Affair. Based in Warsaw, Poland, he writes about politics, culture, and history. Follow his latest insights on X: @michaeljhout.