A federal judge has delayed the trial for a man accused of attempting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump near West Palm Beach. The trial for Ryan Wesley Routh, a Hawaii resident, will now begin on September 8, 2025, instead of the previously scheduled date of February 10, 2025. The decision was made by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon in Fort Pierce.
Routh, 58, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. His attorneys requested the trial be postponed until at least December to allow for more time to review the evidence and consider mounting an insanity defense. They argued that Routh owned multiple cellphones and electronic devices, and there were extensive police body camera and surveillance videos to review.
In her order, Judge Cannon acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations but felt that delaying the trial until December would be excessive. She determined that a September trial date was reasonable and did not constitute an unreasonable delay. Any defense related to Routh’s mental competency must be raised by early February, and any site visit related to the assassination attempt must be completed by the end of February.
Prosecutors allege that Routh meticulously planned the assassination attempt on Trump, aiming a rifle through shrubbery at the president-elect as he played golf at his country club in West Palm Beach. A Secret Service agent spotted Routh before he could take a shot at Trump, prompting the agent to fire at Routh, who then dropped his weapon and fled the scene. Routh was apprehended shortly afterward while driving on a nearby interstate, leaving behind a note detailing his intentions.
The charge of attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate carries a potential life sentence if Routh is convicted. Additional charges include assaulting a federal officer and three firearms offenses. Routh is currently being held without bail at a federal jail in Miami.
Routh’s arrest came two months after Trump was shot and injured in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service acknowledged shortcomings in their security leading up to the Pennsylvania incident but stated that their protocols worked effectively to prevent the potential attack in Florida.
The delay in Routh’s trial has raised questions about the security measures in place to protect high-profile individuals like President-elect Trump. The case has garnered significant attention due to the gravity of the charges and the potential implications for national security. As the trial date approaches, more details are expected to emerge about Routh’s motives and the events leading up to the attempted assassination.
