Federal prosecutors and a Secret Service agent provided dramatic testimony on the opening day of the federal trial of Ryan Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump during a round of golf in West Palm Beach on Sept. 15, 2024.
Special Agent Robert Fercano, testifying for the government, told jurors he saw the barrel of a rifle aimed directly at his face while he was scanning the sixth hole at Trump International Golf Course as Trump played the fifth. Fercano said he noticed "several abnormalities on the fence line," including what he described as a face, a weapon barrel and plates resembling armor. He testified that the barrel tracked his movement, that he heard "what sounded like a groan," and that the man in the bushes smiled. Fercano said the scene "appeared to be a textbook ambush scenario," and that he drew his weapon and fired while retreating.
Prosecutors played radio traffic for jurors that included Fercano's alert: "Mogul on 5 green," followed 11 seconds later by "Shots fired, shots fired, shots fired." The government showed jurors a Chinese-made SKS rifle the government says Routh used and, wearing gloves, Fercano demonstrated how 1 to 2 inches of the barrel would have protruded through the fence that day. Maria Medetis Long, a Department of Justice prosecutor, questioned Fercano.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Shipley told jurors in opening arguments that Routh traveled from Hawaii to the mainland with what prosecutors described as a military-grade assault rifle, 20 rounds of ammunition, 10 burner phones, three aliases and stolen license plates. Shipley read from statements attributed to Routh, including "Trump cannot be elected" and "I need Trump to go away," and said jurors would see photos of the perch where the government says Routh hid for about 10 hours with the rifle chambered and the safety off.
Routh, who is representing himself, was allowed to address jurors for about seven minutes before U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon interrupted, dismissed the jury and warned him his remarks were not relevant to the case. Routh apologized, then launched into a wide-ranging monologue that referenced prehistoric human history, Adolf Hitler, Vladimir Putin, international conflicts and figures such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. When jurors returned, Routh grew emotional and at one point told the court, "This case means absolutely nothing. A life has been lived to the fullest." Cannon admonished Routh, saying the court had "limited patience" and that he did not have "unlimited license" to make a mockery of the courtroom.
The defendant has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer. Prosecutors say Secret Service agents intercepted Routh near the golf course after spotting the rifle. The alleged attempt occurred months after another assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania; federal authorities have cited that earlier incident as part of the broader context surrounding security concerns for major presidential candidates.
Courtroom proceedings are closed to electronic devices and not televised; reporters in Fort Pierce, Florida, provided live updates from inside the federal courthouse. Jury selection in the case began earlier in the week.
Prosecutors called Fercano as the government's first witness Thursday and indicated Routh was expected to cross-examine after a midafternoon break. The trial is ongoing, and further testimony and evidence presentations are expected to continue in the coming days.
