Trial Commences for Man Accused of Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump

FORT PIERCE, Fla. — The trial of Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, commenced Thursday in Fort Pierce, Florida. Routh, 59, is representing himself against five federal charges, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms violations. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The charges stem from a September 15, 2024, incident at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. Prosecutors allege that Routh was found with a rifle near the golf course where Trump was playing. A Secret Service agent spotted him, prompting Routh to flee without firing a shot. He was apprehended shortly thereafter.

During jury selection, Routh dismissed his defense attorneys and chose to represent himself, with his former attorneys remaining as standby counsel. In his opening statement, Routh deviated from the case's specifics, leading U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to interrupt and end his statement early. Judge Cannon cautioned Routh, stating, "What I have heard clearly goes beyond any relevant evidence in the case."

Federal prosecutor John Shipley told jurors that Routh intended to prevent voters from electing Trump as president in 2024. "The defendant decided to take the choice away from the American voters," Shipley said. He described the alleged plot as "carefully crafted and deadly serious."

Former Secret Service agent Robert Fercano testified about his encounter with Routh on the day of the incident. Fercano recounted seeing a rifle barrel protruding from the fence line and confronting the individual, who he identified in court as Routh. Fercano described the situation as "a textbook ambush scenario."

The trial is expected to last two to three weeks, with further testimonies from law enforcement officials and witnesses anticipated.