The federal trial of Ryan Routh resumed on its sixth day as prosecutors continued to present evidence in the case accusing him of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump during a round of golf in September 2024, when Trump was a candidate for president.
Last week, prosecutors called 13 witnesses, predominantly FBI and Secret Service agents, to describe the investigation and the security response at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. During opening statements, prosecutors quoted statements attributed to Routh — including "Trump cannot be elected" and "I need Trump to go away" — to argue he plotted for months, traveled from Hawaii and positioned himself at the course with a rifle chambered and ready to fire.
Prosecutors walked jurors through physical and photographic evidence they say ties Routh to the scene. Witnesses described finding backpacks clipped to a fence, a camera secured with zip ties, and food items, including Vienna sausages, near the alleged sniper position. Bomb squad and FBI personnel testified about the handling and processing of those items, while other witnesses described photos and clothing items prosecutors say link Routh to the spot, including pants with a red stain that was compared to red paint on a recovered bag.
A Secret Service agent testified that Routh smiled at him while pointing a rifle "directly at my face," and a civilian witness identified a man fleeing the scene in a black Nissan Xterra. Agents recounted the sequence of their response and subsequent investigative steps that led to Routh's arrest, according to testimony presented to the jury.
Routh, who is representing himself, delivered a seven-minute opening statement that Judge Aileen Cannon interrupted after Routh digressed into remarks about historical figures and other topics. Cannon, a Trump appointee, cut short parts of the statement after several minutes and instructed jurors on procedural matters, including an expectation that trial sessions would run until about 5:30 p.m. daily.
Cross-examinations by Routh of government witnesses were generally brief and at times erratic, according to court reporting. Questions ranged from philosophical inquiries such as "Is it good to be alive?" to technical queries about the mechanics of an AK-47. Jurors were shown investigative photographs and other evidence intended to link Routh to clothing and items at the scene.
Courtroom sketches shown in the proceedings captured testimony from law enforcement witnesses and scenes from the Fort Pierce federal courthouse as the trial unfolded.
Prosecutors are expected to call more FBI agents and other law enforcement witnesses as the government continues presenting its case. Jurors were seated and opening statements were delivered in the first days of the trial; testimony last week provided investigators' accounts of both the on-site security response and the subsequent forensic and digital inquiries.
The proceedings in federal court in Florida follow the alleged incident in September 2024 and focus on the government's contention that Routh planned and attempted to carry out an attack. Defense strategy beyond Routh's self-representation has not been detailed in the early phases of the trial. The schedule set by the court anticipates additional government witnesses before the defense presents its case.