Ryan Routh, the man charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump, is set to stand trial today with jury selection beginning in Fort Pierce, Florida, and he has chosen to represent himself without legal counsel. This highly unusual move in a high-profile case stems from an alleged assassination attempt last year that was thwarted by Secret Service agents.
The incident occurred on September 15, 2024, at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, where Routh, a 59-year-old from North Carolina, had allegedly been planning the attack for weeks. Prosecutors say he positioned himself with a rifle aimed through a fence, but a Secret Service agent spotted him before Trump arrived. The agent fired shots, causing Routh to flee without discharging his weapon, and he was arrested shortly after with the rifle and other evidence in his vehicle.
Routh faces five federal charges, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and several firearm violations. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison. Judge Aileen Cannon, who is presiding over the case, granted his request to represent himself in July but appointed standby counsel to assist. Cannon previously handled Trump’s classified documents case and has faced criticism for her judicial approach.
Evidence against Routh includes eyewitness testimony, cell phone data placing him at the scene for nearly 12 hours, and a letter he allegedly wrote confessing to the attempt and offering $150,000 for someone else to complete the job. The letter was discovered in a box dropped off at an acquaintance’s home months earlier. Additionally, messages from his phone show him seeking a “missile launcher” and using flight tracking apps to monitor Trump’s movements, along with internet searches on topics like gunpowder residue and assassination plots.
Routh has a history of criminal behavior, including past arrests for eluding police with weapons and possession of stolen property. He has described himself as a mercenary and attempted to recruit fighters for conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. In court filings, he has made bizarre requests, such as asking for a “fancy typewriter” and strippers, and has challenged Trump to a physical altercation or golf match, while also insulting the former president.
Psychological evaluations conducted after his arrest found that Routh has narcissistic personality disorder but is competent to stand trial and does not qualify for an insanity defense. Legal experts note that self-representation in such cases often becomes a platform for defendants to spread their message rather than mount an effective defense, which could lead to disruptions in the trial proceedings.
The trial is expected to be closely watched due to the high-profile nature of the target and the defendant’s unconventional approach. Jury selection begins today, and the outcome may have significant implications for how courts handle pro se defendants in sensitive cases involving political figures.