Jury Selection Faces Challenges in Ryan Routh Federal Trial Florida

The trial of Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump on his golf course last year, is underway with jury selection progressing slowly due to various complications. Routh, who is representing himself despite lacking legal training, has had several of his proposed questions to prospective jurors rejected by Judge Aileen Cannon for being irrelevant or overly political, including inquiries about the war in Gaza, Greenland, and a hypothetical about helping a turtle in the road. Jury selection has seen numerous potential jurors dismissed for reasons including family obligations, medical issues, or admitted biases, such as one woman who identified as a MAGA supporter and felt she could not be impartial. Judge Cannon, who has previously presided over one of President Trump's criminal cases, aims to have a jury seated by Wednesday afternoon, with the trial expected to last three to four weeks. Routh is attempting to portray himself as a kind and caring individual through exhibits and motions, though the judge has indicated she may exclude some evidence as irrelevant. The jury pool is being carefully screened to ensure impartiality amid the high-profile nature of the case and Routh's unorthodox self-representation.