Ryan Routh Continues Self-Defense Trial in Attempted Trump Assassination Case

The trial of Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at his Florida golf course, has featured unusual courtroom moments including Routh representing himself and delivering rambling, off-topic opening statements that led Judge Aileen Cannon to cut him off. Federal prosecutors described Routh's plot as carefully planned, involving multiple phones, aliases, and stolen license plates aimed at preventing Trump's re-election. Witness testimony from Secret Service and FBI agents detailed how Routh was spotted at a sniper perch and later apprehended, with agents credited for thwarting the attempt. Throughout the proceedings, Routh's cross-examinations were often irrelevant and occasionally congratulatory toward law enforcement. Routh faces five federal charges, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, and if convicted, he could receive a life sentence. His erratic courtroom behavior, including controversial letters and offers for prisoner swaps, has added to the trial's unusual atmosphere.