Thu Sep 11 15:48:05 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the information, with a focus on journalistic style:
**Man Accused of Attempting to Assassinate Trump Acts as Own Lawyer in Trial**
**West Palm Beach, FL** – Ryan Routh, 59, is representing himself in court as his criminal trial began Thursday on charges including attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump. The trial comes amid growing concerns about political violence in the United States.
Routh faces five charges related to an alleged assassination attempt on September 15, 2024, at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. He has pleaded not guilty and faces a possible life sentence if convicted.
According to prosecutors, Routh was apprehended after a Secret Service agent spotted a rifle protruding from a fence near the golf course. The agent opened fire, and Routh fled before being apprehended by police on a Florida highway.
The trial began with opening statements, and Routh’s decision to act as his own legal counsel drew immediate attention. He previously told U.S. District Court Judge Eileen Cannon he preferred to represent himself rather than have a “random stranger” speak on his behalf. Public defenders originally assigned to the case are serving in a standby capacity to assist with logistical tasks.
During his opening statements, Judge Cannon interrupted Routh due to a series of erratic remarks, including discussing the origin of the human species, the settling of the U.S. frontier, and international conflicts. The jury was briefly excused after Routh stated the case meant “absolutely nothing.”
The trial is taking place one day after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a far-right media figure and Trump ally, an event that has further heightened anxieties about political violence in the nation. The trial is expected to continue next week.
First Piper 