Federal prosecutors are seeking a life sentence for Ryan Routh, the man convicted of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump during an incident at one of Trump’s golf courses. Despite his conviction, Routh reportedly “remains unrepentant” about his actions, according to the Justice Department’s recent push for his maximum sentencing.

At 59, Routh acknowledges his conviction in a newly submitted sentencing variance request, yet claims the jury was misled. He argues that his inability to effectively challenge witnesses or present evidence undermined his defense, particularly regarding his intention not to harm anyone. Meanwhile, the DOJ stated in a January 16 sentencing memo that Routh has not expressed any remorse, underscoring their position that a life sentence is appropriate given his 2024 assassination attempt.

The government argues that, “The Constitution provides numerous peaceful methods for citizens to express opposition to or dissent against a presidential candidate—murder is not among them.” Routh’s actions, they claim, merit a life sentence as he meticulously planned to assassinate a major presidential candidate, showed a willingness to eliminate anyone obstructing his plan, and has yet to show any regret. They dismiss his request for a reduced sentence as baseless.

Routh faced charges of attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms violations in relation to his plot. Prosecutors allege he intended to target Trump at a golf course in West Palm Beach, where he had set up a sniper’s “hide.”

“In an act of cold-blooded cowardice, Routh attempted to murder President Trump, endangering the lives of a dedicated Secret Service agent and potentially anyone in the vicinity,” states the government’s sentencing memo. “Routh’s guilt on all five charges is unequivocal; his motion for acquittal was denied during the trial, and no further motions were filed thereafter.”

Prosecutors say that it was “proved at trial” that Routh wanted to kill Trump in an attempt to “deny the American people” the option of voting for him in the November 2024 presidential election, “seeking to alter violently this country’s future,” the DOJ’s memo says. They insist that Routh’s criminal acts at the golf course “were not impromptu” and he had been planning to assassinate the president for months.

“The United States proved that in late March 2024, Routh traveled from North Carolina to the West Palm Beach area to pursue President Trump,” the DOJ memo explains. “Routh set up his sniper hide in the predawn hours, in preparation for President Trump playing golf that day.”

Routh’s crimes, according to prosecutors, reflect “careful plotting, extensive premeditation, and a cowardly disregard for human life” that ultimately warrants a life sentence. Not showing remorse also plays a role in why he should die behind bars, the DOJ says.

“Routh remains unrepentant for his crimes, never apologized for the lives he put at risk and his life demonstrates near-total disregard for law,” the memo concludes.

Routh, meanwhile, has asked for leniency due to his age and other factors.

“Defendant denies he acted with the intent to kill a presidential candidate,” his filing says.  “The defendant is two weeks short of being 60-years-old. A just punishment would provide a sentence long enough to impose sufficient but not excessive punishment, and to allow defendant to experience freedom again as opposed to dying in prison.”

Routh, who represented himself at his trial, believes a term of 20 years — followed by a required seven-year mandatory sentence — would be “sufficient to meet the need for punishment, provide the defendant with correctional treatment and provide for mental health treatment in a custodial setting,” according to his filing.

“Defendant would be in custody into his eighties and would not pose any threat to cause harm to the public,” the filing says.

Routh’s daughter came forward in September 2025 after his conviction and called out U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon and the justice system about his trial, calling the case against him “bulls—” and blasting Cannon for being an “obviously biased” Trump appointee.

“She let Trump off on his charges last year,” Sara Routh told Miami station WPLG.

“She should have recused herself from the beginning,” Sara Routh said.

Sara Routh pointed to Cannon’s dismissal of Trump’s classified documents case last year as proof of the legal cards being stacked against her father. It’s not the first time Cannon has been accused of demonstrating “bias,” with similar accusations coming after the Mar-a-Lago case dismissal.

“Obviously biased, anybody knows that,” Sara Routh lambasted.

It took jurors just two hours to find Routh guilty, according to reports.