Ryan Routh Set to Stand Trial for Alleged Assassination Attempt on Trump
This week, a man accused in an alleged plot to assassinate President Donald Trump last September will stand trial in Florida. The incident, which occurred just weeks after a bullet grazed Trump's ear in another assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, further underscored political violence in the US. Both incidents prompted intense scrutiny of the US Secret Service and its ability to protect high-profile candidates like Trump.
The suspect at the heart of this case, Ryan Wesley Routh, will represent himself in what could become an unorthodox trial. He has pleaded not guilty. Routh, 59, is a North Carolina native but lived in Hawaii prior to the alleged assassination attempt. He has a previous criminal history and was a supporter of Ukraine in its war against Russia.
What Do Prosecutors Allege Routh Did?
The incident occurred on 15 September 2024, as Trump was campaigning to retake the White House. According to court documents, President Trump was golfing at his club in West Palm Beach, Florida when a US Secret Service agent spotted a man's face in the bushes at the property's perimeter. The man was later identified as Routh.
Routh allegedly fired on the agent, and a witness saw him running across the road back to a black Nissan Xterra. Local law enforcement apprehended him later on Interstate 95. Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation found an SKS semiautomatic rifle with a scope and extended magazine in the area where Routh had been hiding.
They also discovered documents with a list of events where Trump had appeared or was expected to appear in the coming months, along with a note left in a box at his home that read, This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I am so sorry I failed you. Trump was golfing at the time and did not come into contact with Routh.
What Charges Does He Face?
The government has charged Routh with attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, assaulting a federal officer, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Routh pleaded not guilty to the charges last year and has been held in jail in Florida while awaiting trial.
When is the Trial?
Routh's trial begins on Monday, 8 September at a federal courthouse in Fort Pierce, Florida, starting with jury selection before proceeding to opening statements. The trial will unfold in the same courthouse where President Trump faced charges for allegedly retaining classified documents from his first term in the White House. Judge Aileen Cannon, who presided over Trump’s case, will also oversee Routh's trial.
Why Will Routh Defend Himself?
Routh made the uncommon choice to represent himself at trial. In a letter to the court, he expressed dissatisfaction with attorneys, stating it was ridiculous to have someone unfamiliar with him speak on his behalf. He indicated that he and his attorneys were a million miles apart and that they were not addressing his concerns. Despite Judge Cannon's strong recommendation against self-representation, she allowed it but ordered court-appointed counsel to remain available for assistance.
