Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at a Florida golf resort in September 2024, had his opening statement cut short by a judge on Thursday after he began discussing topics such as evolution and Hitler. Routh, 59, is representing himself in court despite having no legal training and faces five charges, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate. He has pleaded not guilty.
US District Judge Aileen Cannon interrupted Routh less than five minutes into his remarks, reprimanding him not to make a “mockery of the court” as he strayed from a meaningful defence. She excused the jury to chastise him before suspending his opening statement entirely. Prosecutors urged jurors to focus on evidence rather than political feelings, stating the case is about whether Routh plotted to kill Trump.
Prosecutor John Charlton Shipley Jr told jurors that Routh “carefully crafted” his attack for weeks, purchasing a military-grade weapon, obsessively researching Trump’s movements, and using a dozen burner phones. Evidence includes cellphone data, security footage, a handwritten note expressing intent to kill Trump, and eyewitness testimony.
US Secret Service agent Robert Fercano testified that he spotted a rifle barrel protruding from brush near the sixth hole while screening the golf course ahead of Trump. He fired his pistol after seeing the person take aim at him. Jurors heard frantic radio traffic: “Mogul on five green. Shots fired, shots fired, shots fired. Individual … with a … AK-style weapon.” Prosecutors said Routh dropped his rifle and fled.
During cross-examination, Routh asked Fercano if it was “good to be alive” and appeared to acknowledge being the person spotted. When Routh suggested the rifle was not held threateningly, Fercano replied: “I don’t know your mindset that day, but I know you pointed [your rifle] at my face.” Another witness, Tommy McGee, testified he saw a “disheveled, unkempt and frantic man” flee and later identified Routh to police. Routh praised McGee as “an American hero”.
Prosecutors called three more witnesses, including another Secret Service agent and two FBI agents. Routh’s cross-examinations were so brief that the court adjourned early on Thursday.
