FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — Ryan Routh, a man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, is preparing to represent himself at a pretrial conference scheduled for Tuesday. As the trial approaches, jury selection is set to begin on Monday at the federal courthouse in Fort Pierce. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon granted Routh's request to represent himself, but stated that court-appointed attorneys must remain available as standby counsel to assist if needed.
The trial is taking place nearly a year after the alleged assassination attempt, which occurred on September 15, 2024. Prosecutors claim that a U.S. Secret Service agent intervened as Routh attempted to shoot Trump while the former president was playing golf at a country club in West Palm Beach. Routh, aged 59, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and several firearm violations.
According to the prosecution, Routh had been plotting the assassination for weeks, and when he finally aimed a rifle through the shrubbery toward Trump, the Secret Service agent noticed him before Trump was in sight. The agent fired at Routh, who dropped his weapon and fled the scene without discharging his rifle. Witnesses helped law enforcement track Routh down, ultimately leading to his arrest after a police helicopter was deployed to search for him.
Routh's background reveals a history of troubling behavior. Originally from Greensboro, North Carolina, he had worked as a construction worker and later moved to Hawaii. He considered himself a mercenary leader and had made statements about pursuing violent encounters in various global conflicts. Witnesses reported that he sought to recruit soldiers from diverse backgrounds, including veterans from conflicts in Afghanistan, Moldova, and Taiwan to join him against the Russians amid the war in Ukraine.
Routh's criminal history includes a significant incident in 2002, where he was arrested for eluding a traffic stop and barricading himself with a fully automatic machine gun and what was termed a "weapon of mass destruction," which was later identified as an explosive device with a 10-inch fuse. Furthermore, in 2010, law enforcement conducted a search of a warehouse owned by Routh and discovered over 100 stolen items, ranging from power tools and building supplies to kayaks and spa tubs. Judges in both past felony cases opted to impose either probation or suspended sentences instead of prison time.
In addition to the federal charges, Routh is also facing state charges, including terrorism and attempted murder, which he has similarly pleaded not guilty to. As the trial date approaches, the focus remains on Routh's mental state and intentions during the events leading up to the alleged assassination attempt on Trump.
Overall, the case against Ryan Routh is set to unfold in a high-profile trial, drawing significant attention due to the serious nature of the allegations and the involvement of a former president. The courtroom will likely see extensive legal arguments as Routh attempts to navigate the complex judicial process while representing himself.
