The high-stakes federal trial of Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club in September 2024, reached a pivotal moment this week as prosecutors formally rested their case. The proceedings, held in Fort Pierce, Florida, have gripped the nation, drawing intense scrutiny to both the evidence presented and Routh’s unusual decision to represent himself in court.
On September 19, 2025, after two weeks of testimony from law enforcement officials, forensic experts, and former associates of Routh, the prosecution concluded its presentation. As reported by Fox News and The Palm Beach Post, the government’s case centered on a trove of digital and physical evidence, financial transactions, and witness statements that prosecutors allege show Routh methodically planned the attempt on Trump’s life.
FBI Supervisory Special Agent Kimberly McGreevy played a central role in the prosecution’s narrative. Over two days of testimony, McGreevy outlined how investigators traced Routh’s journey from Hawaii to Florida, using financial records, phone data, license plate readers, and surveillance footage. According to Fox News, McGreevy read aloud a handwritten note found in a box at the Greensboro, North Carolina home of Lazaro Plata, one of Routh’s former employees. The note began: “Dear World, .. This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but I am so sorry I failed you... it’s up to you now to complete the job.” The letter also referenced a $150,000 reward, a detail corroborated by bank records showing Routh had the means to pay such a sum.
Jurors were shown a series of financial transactions that prosecutors argue were part of Routh’s preparations. On March 15, 2024, a deposit of $162,000 was made into the account of Routh’s daughter, Sara, followed by a $160,000 transfer to another account in her name that same day. Venmo transactions allegedly moved money from Sara’s accounts to Routh, suggesting a deliberate effort to fund the operation while obscuring the money’s origins.
Digital evidence featured prominently in the government’s case. Phone records indicated that Routh conducted web searches about Trump’s campaign schedule, rally tickets, golf courses, and personal whereabouts. Notably, on September 4, 2024, Routh’s devices were used to search “how many bullets does an SKS rifle hold?” and to view hundreds of firearm images. Prosecutors also introduced a text exchange between Routh and a contact named Vladimir, in which Routh appeared to be tracking Trump’s movements. After Vladimir sent an aerial image, Routh replied: “Trump’s plane. He gets on and off every day.”
Physical surveillance was another key theme. McGreevy testified that between August 14 and September 15, 2024, Routh’s “home base” was the Marathon truck stop in South Bay, Florida, where he paid cash for overnight parking. License plate reader data placed Routh’s black Nissan Xterra in the Palm Beach area on multiple occasions in late March and early April 2024. Some plates were registered to his daughter, others to different cars, and at least one was unassigned, indicating an effort to avoid detection.
Perhaps the most compelling visual evidence came in the form of photos. Prosecutors presented images taken on one of Routh’s burner phones, including a map of the 14th hole at Trump’s golf course with multiple pins dropped—and Routh’s reflection visible in the shot. Another photo showed an SKS rifle propped in a tree at the same hole. Nearby, investigators discovered a 56-ounce Sunny Delight bottle matching a receipt recovered from Routh’s vehicle, tying him to the scene.
The events of September 15, 2024, as reconstructed in court, were chilling. A U.S. Secret Service agent spotted the barrel of a rifle in the tree line at Trump International Golf Club. The agent fired, prompting the suspect to drop his weapon and flee. Routh was apprehended roughly 41 miles from the course. According to USA Today, Routh had visited the golf course approximately 17 times and tracked Trump’s plane in the days leading up to the incident.
In the courtroom, Routh cut an unusual figure—smiling, taking notes, and occasionally leaning back with one leg propped up. His daughter Sara, the only family member present, was seen taking notes as well. Routh, now 59, faces charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms violations. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison.
As the prosecution rested, Routh moved for a judgment of acquittal on four of the five counts against him, arguing that the evidence was insufficient. “The gun was never fired and nothing ever happened as far as taking a substantial step to kill the former president,” Routh told the court, according to The Palm Beach Post. He also argued that his actions constituted peaceful protest, not a crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Shipley countered, “Peaceful protest is one thing. An assassination attempt is another.” Judge Aileen Cannon denied Routh’s motion, ruling that sufficient evidence existed for all charges to go to the jury.
Routh’s defense strategy, set to begin on September 22, is expected to focus on his character. He has indicated plans to call three witnesses and introduce evidence of his “peacefulness, gentleness and nonviolence.” During cross-examinations, Routh has repeatedly tried to cast himself as a benevolent individual, even asking former employees if he was ever “an angry person” or had “gotten mad.” According to Fox News, Routh has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Testimony from FBI digital forensic specialist Jerry Llanes included anti-Trump messages allegedly sent by Routh: “He needs to go away. He canceled JCPOA for Iran,” and “What an idiot.” In another message, Routh referred to Trump as “a big problem for Ukraine.” These communications, prosecutors argue, reveal motive and intent.
The trial has also highlighted Routh’s apparent efforts to evade capture. Evidence presented showed that he researched escape routes from Palm Beach County to the Texas and Mexico border, as well as flights to Mexico from West Palm Beach and Miami. Routh questioned the legality of traveling to Mexico during his cross-examination of Agent McGreevy, who replied that such travel is not illegal in itself.
As the trial heads into its final phase, closing arguments are expected as soon as September 23, with jurors possibly reaching a verdict the following week. The case has already sparked heated debate about political violence, security for public officials, and the boundaries of protest in American democracy.
With the defense set to present its case, the nation waits to see whether Routh’s claims of peaceful intent will sway the jury—or whether the mountain of evidence amassed by federal prosecutors will prove decisive.
