The federal trial of Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, opened Thursday with chaos and repeated interruptions as the 59-year-old defendant—who is representing himself—used his time before the jury to deliver rambling statements about Adolf Hitler, Gaza, and Russia.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who is presiding over the case, cut him off and dismissed the jury twice before barring him from giving an opening statement.
“I gave you one more chance and you continued to read what has no relevance for this case,” Cannon said.
Routh, a construction worker with no legal training, has pleaded not guilty to attempting to assassinate the president, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms violations.
Prosecution: “Carefully crafted and deadly serious”
Prosecutors allege Routh targeted Trump on Sept. 15, 2024, while the president played golf at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Shipley told jurors that Routh brought rifles, stolen license plates, and multiple cell phones as part of what he called a cross-country plot.
“He [Trump] needs to go away,” Shipley quoted Routh as saying.
Secret Service agent Robert Fercano testified that he came within five feet of Routh before spotting the muzzle of a rifle hidden in the bushes outside the course’s fence line.
“This plot was carefully crafted and deadly serious,” Shipley told the jury.
Fercano said agents opened fire, forcing Routh to flee without firing a shot. Trump was unharmed.
During cross-examination, Routh asked Fercano if he was harmed in the incident.
“I wasn’t physically harmed, but I was mentally harmed from you pointing a gun at me,” Fercano replied.
Two FBI agents, another Secret Service agent, and a civilian witness who followed Routh’s car to capture his license plate number also testified on Thursday.
Violence against political leaders
The trial begins just a day after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on a Utah college campus, the latest in a string of high-profile attacks on political figures.
Trump himself has faced multiple assassination attempts. In July 2024, a gunman opened fire at his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, narrowly missing him.
Other recent attacks have included the killings of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, the shootings of Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, and an arson attempt at the home of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro while his family was inside.
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