Final preparations for trial of man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump in Florida

Published: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 12:00 am

Trial Preparations Underway for Man Accused of Attempting to Assassinate Trump

Fort Pierce, Florida - Final preparations are underway for the trial of Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump last year. Routh, 59, is scheduled to represent himself during the trial, with a pretrial conference set for Tuesday. Jury selection is slated to begin on September 8th in the Fort Pierce federal court.

The charges against Routh stem from an incident on September 15, 2024, when prosecutors allege he attempted to shoot Trump while the President was playing golf. A U.S. Secret Service agent intervened, preventing Routh from firing his weapon. Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and various firearm violations.

According to prosecutors, Routh planned the assassination attempt for weeks. He allegedly aimed a rifle at Trump through shrubbery at a West Palm Beach country club. The Secret Service agent, who spotted Routh before Trump came into view, fired at Routh, causing him to drop his weapon and flee. Law enforcement apprehended Routh after a witness identified him fleeing the scene.

Routh, a former construction worker, had previously lived in North Carolina and Hawaii. He has a history of legal troubles, including a 2002 arrest in North Carolina for eluding police and possessing a fully automatic machine gun and an explosive device. He also faced charges in 2010 for possessing over 100 stolen items. In addition to the federal charges, Routh has also pleaded not guilty to state charges of terrorism and attempted murder.

BNN's Perspective: The case highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by public figures. While the right to self-representation is a cornerstone of the legal system, the complexity of this case underscores the need for robust security measures to protect those in positions of power. The trial will undoubtedly draw significant public attention, and the outcome will be closely watched.

Keywords: Ryan Routh, Donald Trump, assassination attempt, trial, Fort Pierce, Secret Service, federal court, jury selection, attempted murder, terrorism, firearm violations, West Palm Beach, presidential candidate.

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