Friday, September 12, 2025 -The federal trial of Ryan Wesley Routh, charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, began Thursday in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Routh, 59, faces five federal charges, including attempted assassination and assaulting a federal officer, stemming from an incident at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach last September. He is representing himself in court, though standby counsel is available to assist him.
Routh allegedly traveled to Florida armed with an SKS assault rifle, intending to target Trump while he was golfing. Secret Service agents intercepted him before he could act, preventing what prosecutors describe as a highly planned assassination attempt.
During the opening statement, Routh diverged from the case to discuss topics ranging from Adolf Hitler to global conflicts, prompting the judge to intervene and caution him against making a “mockery” of the proceedings.
The trial comes in the wake of heightened political tension in the U.S., including the recent assassination of conservative media figure Charlie Kirk in Utah.
Observers say the case underscores concerns about the rise of politically motivated violence. Routh has pleaded not guilty, and if convicted, he faces a potential life sentence. The proceedings are expected to last two to three weeks.
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