Trump assassination attempt suspect offers himself for possible prisoner swap with US adversaries

“I had wished for a prisoner swap with Hamas, Iran for a female protester, or China for Jimmy Lai or one of the 40 others or to freeze to death in Siberia in exchange for a Ukrainian soldier so that I could die being of some use and save all this court mess, but no one acts,” Routh wrote to Judge Cannon.

Published: July 13, 2025 4:56pm

Ryan Routh, the suspect in the second assassination attempt against President Donald Trump, offered himself as part of a possible prisoner swap with Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea.

Routh suggested the swap on Friday in a letter to United States District Judge Aileen Cannon, who is presiding over his case in Florida.

“I had wished for a prisoner swap with Hamas, Iran for a female protester, or China for Jimmy Lai or one of the 40 others or to freeze to death in Siberia in exchange for a Ukrainian soldier so that I could die being of some use and save all this court mess, but no one acts,” Routh wrote to Cannon. “Perhaps you have the power to trade me away.”

Jimmy Lai is a pro-democracy activist who was jailed in Hong Kong in 2020 after protesting the communist government.

The Facts Inside Our Reporter's Notebook

Links

Unlock unlimited access

  • No Ads Within Stories
  • No Autoplay Videos
  • VIP access to exclusive Just the News newsmaker events hosted by John Solomon and his team.
  • Support the investigative reporting and honest news presentation you've come to enjoy from Just the News.
  • Just the News Spotlight

    Support Just the News