(NewsNation) — Ryan Routh, who is accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump on his Florida golf course last year, began trial this week representing himself against several federal criminal charges.
His trial comes almost exactly a year after prosecutors say a U.S. Secret Service agent intercepted Routh’s attempt to shoot Trump, who was campaigning for the presidency at the time.
Trump challenged to golf, ‘beatdown session’ by man accused of trying to kill him
The trial opened Monday with jury selection, where both sides questioned prospective jurors.
Routh asked potential jury members about their views on the war in Gaza and thoughts on the U.S. acquiring Greenland, but Cannon said those questions were irrelevant. The alleged plotter also wanted to ask jurors what they would do if they were driving and saw a turtle in the road.
While U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon allowed Routh to be his own attorney, court-appointed attorneys have been ordered to remain as standby counsel.
He wore a gray sports coat, red tie with white stripes and khaki slacks and was partially shackled at the defense table.
Leading up to the trial, Routh, 59, has submitted several bizarre pretrial filings, including a motion where he threatened Trump and challenged him to a round of golf for the Oval Office.
In the profanity-laced motion, he wrote that “a beatdown session would be more fun and entertaining for everyone.”
What is Ryan Routh accused of?
Routh is accused of staking out Trump on September 15, 2024, for 12 hours on his golf course in West Palm Beach. He was allegedly hiding in a tree line.
Authorities said a Secret Service agent conducting a perimeter security sweep saw Routh in the brush along the fence line near the sixth hole.
FILE – In this image released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement officers arrest Ryan Wesley Routh, a man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump, Sept. 15, 2024. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office via AP, File)
Routh allegedly ran off after a Secret Service agent fired at him. The Justice Department says Routh was pointing a rifle at the agent, but ran without firing a shot back.
He was later arrested after being identified by a witness who said they saw him running from the scene, authorities said.
The indictment stated that a witness contacted law enforcement, saying Routh had dropped off a box at his home several months prior to the attempted shooting.
Included in the box was a handwritten letter from Routh addressed “Dear world,” which stated, among other things, “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I am so sorry I failed you.”
What are the charges against Ryan Routh?
Routh was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, assaulting a federal officer and attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate.
Routh has pleaded not guilty.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Final preparations for the trial of the man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump in Florida
Ryan Routh represents himself in assassination attempt trial
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon approved Routh’s request to represent himself during his trial, provided public defenders will remain on standby.
Cannon told Routh she believes it’s a bad idea for Routh to represent himself, but he remained steadfast in his decision.
Routh opted to be his own attorney after a series of rifts with public defenders. He requested a new defense team for his case in July after his court-appointed federal public defenders had asked to be taken off the case, saying he had refused repeated attempts to meet with their team.
Routh told the court he completed two years of college after earning his GED certificate.
Judge imposed strict rules on Ryan Routh
The judge said Routh must be dressed in professional business attire for the trial. She also explained to the alleged shooter that he would be allowed to use a podium while speaking to the jury or questioning witnesses, but he would not be allowed to roam around the courtroom.
“If you make any sudden movements, marshals will take decisive and quick action to respond,” Cannon said during a hearing on court conduct prior to the trial.
Cannon is a former federal prosecutor who was nominated to the bench by Trump in 2020.
FILE – Ryan Wesley Routh takes part in a rally in central Kyiv, Ukraine, April 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)
Who does Routh want to call to the stand?
Routh has named several witnesses he would like to call in his case, including Trump himself.
The court had already approved four character witnesses for Routh, but he requested several more, including a former romantic partner, to testify on his gentleness.
Connon rejected his request to call Trump and his former partner.
Routh also wanted to question several Harvard professors who he believes could testify that his actions were justified, but Cannon previously ruled that she would not allow Routh to use a justification defense.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
