FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — Potential jurors for the trial of Ryan Routh, a man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump during a golf game last year in South Florida, returned for a second day of jury selection on Tuesday. The trial is unfolding amid heightened public interest, primarily due to the high-profile nature of the case.
On Tuesday, jurors were questioned regarding their ability to serve on the jury and whether they could maintain the presumption of innocence for the defendant. One juror expressed her strong support for Trump, identifying herself as a “MAGA” supporter, which led to her dismissal from the jury pool along with 19 others. Such expressions of bias against the defendant underscore the challenges of selecting an impartial jury in cases involving polarizing figures like Trump.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon allowed Routh to represent himself but mandated that court-appointed attorneys remain available as standby counsel to offer assistance as needed. During a prior hearing, the judge dismissed several questions proposed by Routh for potential jurors, deeming them irrelevant. These included inquiries about opinions on Gaza, discussions around the U.S. acquiring Greenland, and hypothetical scenarios regarding encountering a turtle while driving.
The trial is set to commence almost a year after the alleged assassination attempt, where prosecutors claim a U.S. Secret Service agent intervened to prevent Routh from carrying out his plan. Routh, 59, has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearm-related violations.
Prosecutors have stated that Routh conducted meticulous planning to kill Trump leading up to the incident on September 15, 2024. As Trump played golf at a West Palm Beach country club, Routh allegedly aimed a rifle through the shrubbery. A vigilant Secret Service agent spotted him before Trump arrived on the scene. When Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, the agent opened fire, prompting Routh to drop his weapon and flee without discharging it.
This incident follows another assassination attempt on Trump just nine weeks earlier while he was campaigning in Pennsylvania, where a gunman fired eight shots, narrowly missing Trump. This recent history adds a layer of seriousness to the scrutiny surrounding Routh's charges.
As the jury selection process continues, the court navigates challenges related to juror biases and the high stakes involved in a trial associated with threats against a former president. The proceedings are closely observed, reflecting broader societal tensions and divisions surrounding political figures and their protection.
