A federal trial is scheduled to begin Monday in Fort Pierce, Florida, for the man charged with attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump while Trump was playing golf in September 2024. Jury selection is expected to last three days as attorneys question several dozen prospective jurors to fill a 12-member panel and four alternates.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys will question three sets of 60 prospective jurors in search of the final panel. Opening statements are scheduled to begin Thursday, and prosecutors plan to start presenting their case immediately after opening statements conclude. The court has set aside four weeks for the trial, although both sides have said they expect the proceedings to require less time.
U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon granted a July request allowing defendant Ryan Routh to represent himself at trial but ordered that court-appointed attorneys remain available as standby counsel. Cannon told Routh she believed self-representation was a poor choice but indicated that he had the right to make that decision. Routh has described his formal education as two years of college after obtaining a GED certificate and told the court he understood the challenges of conducting his own defense.
Cannon confirmed during a hearing earlier this week that Routh will be required to dress in professional business attire for the trial. The judge also reiterated the standby counsel arrangement, which means attorneys appointed by the court will be present and prepared to step in if needed.
The charges stem from an incident in September 2024 in which authorities say the defendant attempted to kill the former president while he was playing golf in Florida. Federal prosecutors brought the case in U.S. District Court in Fort Pierce. The indictment and court filings allege facts that prosecutors say will be laid out during the trial; defense counsel has signaled that Routh intends to contest the charges.
Court officials expect jury selection to require intensive questioning to vet prospective jurors for potential biases given the high-profile nature of the case and the public prominence of the alleged victim. Each side will have opportunities during voir dire to ask about political views, media exposure and other factors that could affect juror impartiality.
The trial timetable calls for three days of jury selection followed by opening statements and the presentation of evidence. While the court reserved four weeks on the calendar, attorneys have told the judge they anticipate completing the trial in less time. The presence of standby counsel aims to balance Routh’s asserted right to self-representation with the court’s obligation to ensure orderly proceedings and protect the defendant’s legal rights.
The case will be closely watched given the charges and the involvement of a former president. Courtroom security and procedures for managing media access and public interest typically receive heightened attention in such matters, and the Fort Pierce federal courthouse has prepared for the logistical demands of a high-profile trial.
Further developments, including the outcome of jury selection and the scope of testimony and evidence presented by prosecutors, will be reported as the trial proceeds.