The trial of Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump in 2024, began Monday in federal court in Fort Pierce, Florida. Routh, 59, dismissed his lawyers in July and is representing himself despite facing life in prison.
Prosecutors allege Routh hid with a rifle near the sixth green of Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach during the final weeks of the campaign. A Secret Service agent spotted him before Trump reached the area, forcing Routh to flee without firing.
Ryan Routh: Man accused of trying to assassinate Donald Trump faces trial this week - and it could be chaotichttps://t.co/h5c5ych6UG
— Sky News (@SkyNews) September 8, 2025
Routh, a struggling contractor with a history of eccentric activism, has pleaded not guilty to five charges, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate.
Jury selection begins today in the trial of Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at his Florida golf club in 2024.
— Epoch Times Print Edition (@EpochTimesPrint) September 8, 2025
Routh is representing himself in federal court. Opening statements expected Sept. 11. pic.twitter.com/4eauskkKuO
Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, has limited his ability to introduce political arguments or writings. Prosecutors say they will show a letter in which Routh admitted planning to kill Trump.
