Federal trial begins for Ryan Routh over plot to kill Trump

A federal jury was sworn in and opening statements began Thursday in the trial of 59-year-old Ryan Routh, who is accused of trying to assassinate Donald Trump as the former president played golf at his West Palm Beach club on Sept. 15, 2024. Jury selection took place this week at the federal courthouse in Fort Pierce, Florida, and prosecutors and the defendant addressed the panel as the trial moved to its next phase.

Prosecutors say Routh methodically plotted for weeks and hid with a rifle near the golf course before aiming through shrubbery as Trump approached. According to court filings and officials, a U.S. Secret Service agent spotted a gun protruding from a fence, opened fire and forced Routh to drop his weapon and flee; he was later stopped on a Florida highway. Routh has pleaded not guilty to five federal counts, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and several firearms violations. State prosecutors in Florida have separately charged him with attempted first-degree murder and terrorism, according to court records.

Routh is representing himself after U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon granted his request to dismiss...