FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Jury selection opened Monday in the federal trial of Ryan Wesley Routh, who is accused of attempting to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in September 2024, as the defendant representing himself posed a series of questions the judge called politically charged and unrelated to the case.
Routh, dressed in a gray suit and wearing ankle shackles, participated in voir dire at the U.S. District Court in Fort Pierce as prosecutors and the defendant asked potential jurors whether they could fairly serve. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, repeatedly admonished Routh and dismissed several of his proposed questions as having no bearing on juror impartiality.
During questioning, Routh asked prospective jurors about their views on the war in Gaza, their opinions about the United States possibly acquiring Greenland — an idea the president has floated — and how they would react if they encountered a turtle crossing the road while driving. Judge Cannon told Routh, "None of the questions on your list have any bearing whatsoever. They were off base, sir, and have no relevance to jury selection." When Routh attempted to protest the ruling, Cannon warned him not to interrupt.
The hearing also included witness developments. Routh said one former co-worker listed as a potential witness, Eric Zuniga, would not testify because he lives in Costa Rica and "likes his freedom and doesn’t want to get arrested or deported," and Routh withdrew Zuniga's name. Routh told the court another witness was unlikely to appear because of preplanned travel to Vietnam during the trial.
Prosecutors say Routh staked out shrubbery near the sixth hole of Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach on Sept. 15, 2024, and pointed a rifle at Secret Service officers while the former president and then-presidential candidate played golf. According to prosecutors, a Secret Service agent detected the rifle, agents opened fire and Routh abandoned the weapon and fled the scene. He was arrested that day and faces federal charges including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and multiple firearms violations. The charges carry a potential life sentence if he is convicted.
Routh has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges and also faces state charges of terrorism and attempted murder. The court has set aside four weeks for the trial, though court officials said it could conclude sooner; opening statements are expected to begin Thursday, after jury selection is completed.
Twenty-seven of the 60 prospective jurors who appeared Monday claimed they would face hardships that would prevent them from serving for the duration of the trial. Routh told the court he had unspecified reservations about a number of potential jurors but did not identify specific concerns during the session.
At one point late in the morning session, Judge Cannon asked if there was anything further to address and Routh said he was "still in a situation at the jail where I can’t sleep" and asked whether he could be moved to general population. Cannon cut him off and said the matter was not appropriate to raise at that time.
Prosecutors plan to present their case immediately after opening statements. If convicted on the federal counts, Routh faces the possibility of a life sentence; state proceedings will proceed separately. Federal court records show Routh was charged on counts that include attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, assaulting a federal officer, possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
The case has drawn intense public attention because of the target and the circumstances of the alleged plot. Judge Cannon has presided over pretrial matters, including rulings limiting access to certain materials related to the case. The voir dire process will continue until 12 jurors and four alternates are empaneled.
Reporting from the courtroom on Monday included contributions from Fox News and the Associated Press.