Wed Sep 03 18:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Man Accused of Attempting to Assassinate Trump to Represent Himself at Trial

**FORT PIERCE, Fla.** – Ryan Routh, the man accused of trying to assassinate former President Donald Trump last year, will represent himself during a crucial pre-trial conference scheduled for today. Jury selection is slated to begin on September 8 in Fort Pierce federal court, barring any last-minute delays.

Routh, 59, pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and various firearm violations. He is accused of plotting to kill Trump for weeks before aiming a rifle at the former president as he played golf at his West Palm Beach country club on September 15, 2024. A Secret Service agent spotted Routh before Trump came into view, leading to an exchange of fire. Routh allegedly dropped his weapon and fled the scene.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon granted Routh’s request to represent himself in July but has ordered court-appointed attorneys to remain on standby as counsel.

Newly unsealed exhibits from prosecutors show photos of Routh holding a semi-automatic rifle similar to the one found at Trump’s club. Text messages from Routh’s phone reportedly reveal requests for a “missile launcher” two months before the incident, as well as messages seeking help to prevent Trump’s re-election and offers to pay for tracking his airplane. Investigators found internet searches about sniper concealment in the Kennedy assassination and how long gunpowder residue remains on clothing, as well as articles about the U.S. Secret Service’s responses to assassination plots.

Routh has a criminal history, including a 2002 arrest for eluding a traffic stop in North Carolina, during which he barricaded himself with a fully automatic machine gun and an explosive device. In 2010, police found over 100 stolen items in a warehouse owned by Routh.

In addition to the federal charges, Routh has also pleaded not guilty to state charges of terrorism and attempted murder.

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