Trial Begins for Man Accused in Trump Assassination Plot/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The trial of Ryan Routh, accused of plotting to assassinate Donald Trump at a Florida golf course, began Thursday. Routh, representing himself, faces charges including attempted assassination, assault on a federal officer, and firearms violations. Prosecutors say a Secret Service agent stopped Routh before he could fire; the trial is expected to last weeks.
Trump Assassination Attempt Trial Opens in Florida – Quick Looks
- Trial begins for Ryan Routh, accused of trying to assassinate Trump
- Routh, 59, is representing himself, but standby lawyers are present
- He faces charges of attempted assassination, assault, and firearms violations
- Jury of 12, plus four alternates, sworn in Wednesday
- Alleged attempt took place Sept. 15, 2024, at Trump’s Florida golf club
- Secret Service agent spotted Routh aiming rifle, opened fire to stop him
- Routh dropped his weapon and fled; no shots fired at Trump
- Trump survived another attempt in Pennsylvania weeks earlier
- Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, is overseeing trial
- Routh’s past includes weapons arrest and failed mercenary recruiting
Deep Look: Trial Opens for Ryan Routh, Accused of Trump Assassination Attempt
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Nearly a year after an alleged attempt to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, the trial of Ryan Routh began Thursday in a federal courtroom. Prosecutors, defense lawyers, and observers gathered as opening statements were prepared in a case that has attracted nationwide attention.
Routh, 59, is accused of plotting for weeks to kill Trump while the former president played golf at his West Palm Beach country club on September 15, 2024, during his campaign for a second term.
Routh Represents Himself in High-Stakes Trial
In an unusual turn, Routh has chosen to represent himself, a decision granted by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon after he dismissed his court-appointed attorneys. Though he now argues his own case, the attorneys remain present in the courtroom to step in if necessary.
Until this week, Routh attended hearings shackled and dressed in a tan jail jumpsuit. But with jurors now seated, he appeared unrestrained, wearing a sport coat and tie. Judge Cannon has ruled that Routh may speak from a podium but will not have free movement around the courtroom.
Jury Selection and Composition
The jury was finalized Wednesday, drawn from a pool of 180 potential candidates. The 12-member panel, with four alternates, includes:
- Four white men
- One Black man
- Six white women
- One Black woman
The alternates consist of two white men and two white women.
The trial is expected to last two to three weeks.
How the Attempt Was Thwarted
Prosecutors allege Routh concealed himself in shrubbery near Trump’s golf course and aimed a rifle toward the fairway where Trump was playing. But before Trump came into view, a Secret Service agent spotted Routh.
According to officials, Routh aimed his weapon at the agent, prompting the officer to fire. The gunfire caused Routh to drop the rifle and flee without discharging a shot. He was arrested soon afterward.
The Florida incident came just nine weeks after Trump survived another assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where a gunman fired eight shots, grazing Trump’s ear before being killed by a Secret Service sniper.
A Controversial Judge at the Helm
Presiding over the case is Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee whose judicial record has drawn scrutiny. She previously oversaw a high-profile case involving Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, ultimately dismissing charges after finding fault with the special counsel’s appointment.
Her role in the Routh trial is being closely watched given her history with Trump-related cases.
Who Is Ryan Routh?
Routh’s background reveals a history of erratic behavior and extremist posturing:
- Once a construction worker in North Carolina, he later moved to Hawaii.
- Styled himself as a mercenary leader, claiming to recruit fighters for global conflicts.
- During the early stages of the Ukraine war, he sought to enlist ex-soldiers from Afghanistan, Moldova, and Taiwan to fight against Russia.
- In 2002, he was arrested in Greensboro, North Carolina, after evading a traffic stop and barricading himself with a machine gun and what authorities described as a “weapon of mass destruction.” The device turned out to be an explosive with a 10-inch fuse.
A Trial Amid Political Violence Concerns
The trial begins amid heightened anxiety about political violence in the United States. On Wednesday, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated during a speaking event in Utah, underscoring fears of escalating attacks on political figures.
Prosecutors argue Routh’s case demonstrates the serious risks faced by public officials in a deeply polarized climate. The defense, led by Routh himself, is expected to argue that authorities misinterpreted his actions and overcharged the case.
For now, the nation watches as the courtroom drama unfolds in Fort Pierce, with the fate of a man accused of trying to kill a former president — and the broader implications for political security — hanging in the balance.
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