Executive summary: The trial of Ryan Routh, charged with attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, commenced with jury selection in Florida, as Routh opted to represent himself, leading to unusual courtroom dynamics.
The proceedings started on Monday, September 8, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Florida, with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon overseeing the selection of 12 jurors and four alternates from a pool of 180 residents. Ryan Routh, 59, is facing serious charges including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms offenses, which could result in a life sentence if convicted.
Routh, who has a history of criminal activity, decided to dismiss his court-appointed attorneys and defend himself, a move that Judge Cannon strongly advised against. During jury selection, Routh apologized to potential jurors for the inconvenience and showed unusual leniency, such as agreeing to excuse individuals due to personal reasons, including a special education teacher whom he praised for his honorable profession.
The alleged incident took place on September 15, 2024, when Routh was discovered hiding near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach with a SKS semiautomatic rifle equipped with a scope. Secret Service agents engaged him, and he fled but was later apprehended. Prosecutors claim that Routh had been planning the attack for months, purchasing burner phones, researching Trump’s schedule, and even attempting to buy anti-aircraft weapons.
Routh’s courtroom behavior has been marked by eccentricity; he submitted odd questions for jurors, like whether they would stop for a turtle in the road, which prosecutors argued trivialized the case. He also made bizarre requests, such as challenging Trump to a physical altercation or a golf match, and asking for female strippers or a prisoner swap instead of a trial.
Background investigations reveal that Routh was fixated on Trump, authoring a self-published book that called for assassination and leaving a handwritten note after the attempt, admitting failure and offering money for someone else to kill Trump. Prosecutors intend to present this evidence, along with forensic links to the weapon, to establish intent.
Judge Cannon, who was appointed by Trump and previously presided over his classified documents case, has implemented strict rules to prevent chaos, including keeping standby lawyers ready. She denied Routh’s motion for recusal, stating no personal relationship with Trump exists. The trial is anticipated to last 2-4 weeks, with the jury remaining anonymous and partially sequestered for safety.
This case highlights the ongoing issue of political violence in the United States and the complexities of high-profile trials where defendants represent themselves, with potential implications for future judicial handling of similar events.