Trial Begins for Ryan Routh, Accused of Targeting Trump

Lead: Jury selection opened Monday in Fort Pierce, Florida, for Ryan Routh, 59, who is charged with attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course last September.

Nut Graf: The trial is unusual as Routh has chosen to represent himself, raising concerns about courtroom management and the potential for “calculated chaos” as prosecutors present evidence that could send him to prison for life if convicted.

Self-Representation and Courtroom Rules

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon granted Routh’s request to proceed pro se but appointed his former federal defenders as standby counsel to prevent disruptions. Routh will wear business attire, use a podium for questioning, and must follow strict decorum rules to avoid sanctions or revocation of his self-representation rights.

Key Charges and Potential Sentence

  • Attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate (life sentence exposure)
  • Assaulting a federal officer
  • Possession of a firearm by a felon
  • Using a firearm with an obliterated serial number
  • Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime

Evidence and Prosecution Strategy

Prosecutors plan to prove Routh’s intent and preparation through:

  • Eyewitness testimony of a Secret Service agent who spotted Routh’s rifle poking through shrubbery and fired at him.
  • Forensic links tying Routh to a SKS-style rifle found near Trump’s golf cart route.
  • A handwritten “Dear World” letter in which Routh admits, “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but I failed you,” and offers a $150,000 reward for someone else to finish the job.
  • Communications showing Routh attempted to acquire anti-aircraft weapons from an associate he believed had Ukrainian military connections.

Trial Schedule and Expectations

Jury selection is expected to take up to three days, with opening statements slated for Thursday. The trial could last up to four weeks, with both sides calling witnesses from the Secret Service, FBI, and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, along with character testimony Routh intends to present despite the judge’s limitations on “justification” defenses.

Security and Public Interest

Given the high-profile nature of the case and Judge Cannon’s past rulings in Trump-related matters, courtroom security has been heightened. Legal experts warn that Routh’s self-representation strategy may backfire if he cannot adhere to legal procedures, but it guarantees unprecedented access to his defense tactics and personal statements throughout the proceedings.