Ryan Routh Begins Trial Self-Represented for Attempted Trump Assassination in Florida

The trial of Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump on his Florida golf course in 2024, has begun with Routh choosing to represent himself despite warnings from Judge Aileen Cannon about the risks of self-representation. Prosecutors allege Routh methodically planned the attack, hiding in bushes with a rifle and firing at a Secret Service agent before fleeing, while Routh denies all charges including attempted assassination and firearms offenses. During the trial, Routh's opening statements were repeatedly cut off by the judge for veering off-topic with political grievances and unrelated commentary, and his unconventional courtroom behavior has included bizarre jury selection questions and requests, such as challenging Trump to a golf match. Judge Cannon has also denied Routh's requests to call various controversial witnesses, warning against using testimony to create chaos. The case follows another assassination attempt on Trump just weeks earlier, highlighting ongoing concerns about political violence. Legal experts note that self-representation in such high-profile federal cases rarely ends well, underscoring the seriousness of the proceedings.