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PULSE POINTS
❓WHAT HAPPENED: Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald J. Trump during a golf outing in Florida last year, forfeited his right to continue his opening statement during his trial after veering off topic to discuss Adolf Hitler and global conflicts.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ryan Routh, the defendant, is representing himself in the trial presided over by U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon. Secret Service agents, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents, and a civilian witness also testified.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The trial began on September 11, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Florida, following the alleged assassination attempt on September 15, 2024, at Trump’s West Palm Beach country club.
💬KEY QUOTE: “I gave you one more chance and you continued to read what has no relevance for this case,” said Judge Aileen Cannon to Routh during his opening statement.
🎯IMPACT: Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and firearm violations. The proceedings are expected to continue for several weeks.
IN FULL
Ryan Routh, a 59-year-old defendant accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald J. Trump, forfeited his right to continue his opening statement during his trial in Fort Pierce, Florida, after veering bizarrely off topic. U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon warned Routh multiple times to stay relevant, ultimately stopping him after he discussed Adolf Hitler and conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
“I gave you one more chance and you continued to read what has no relevance for this case,” Judge Cannon said, cutting off Routh’s remarks.
Prosecutors allege that Routh meticulously planned the attack, aiming a rifle at Trump as he played golf on September 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club. A Secret Service agent spotted Routh before he could fire and shot at him, causing him to drop his weapon and flee. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Shipley described the plot as “carefully crafted and deadly serious.”
During the initial stage of the trial on Thursday, five witnesses testified, including two Secret Service agents, two Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents, and a civilian named Tommy McGee. McGee recounted following Routh after the incident to record his license plate, unaware that Trump was the intended target. Secret Service Agent Robert Fercano testified that he was just five feet away from Routh when he spotted the rifle aimed from the bushes.
Routh, who is representing himself, asked only a few questions during cross-examinations, often referring to himself in the third person. When he asked Agent Fercano if he had been harmed, the agent replied, “I wasn’t physically harmed, but I was mentally harmed from you pointing a gun at me.”
Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and firearm violations. The proceedings are expected to continue for several weeks.
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