Unusual Trump assassination requests from defendant Ryan Routh during trial, along with the judge's chilling retort revealed
Ryan Routh, a building contractor from North Carolina who was living in Hawaii, stands trial this week for an alleged assassination attempt on President Donald Trump. The incident, which took place at Trump's West Palm Beach club in Florida in September 2025, has been the subject of intense scrutiny and speculation.
Routh has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and several gun-related charges. The trial, presided over by Judge Aileen Cannon, is expected to last for around four weeks, with opening statements beginning on Thursday.
The incident unfolded when Routh was accused of hiding in bushes and pointing a rifle at Trump while the president was golfing. A Secret Service member stopped Routh by firing shots in his direction. Months after his arrest, police allegedly uncovered a letter from Routh to a friend in North Carolina, stating, "Dear World, This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you."
The Justice Department released a chilling letter from Routh about his plan to kill Trump, offering $150,000 to whoever could complete the job. Routh has made several last-minute requests to bring bizarre characters as witnesses, including Trump himself. However, the judge has deemed most of Routh's requested witnesses as "untimely and insufficient."
Prosecutors are planning to bring FBI agents and local law enforcement officials as witnesses. Routh's social media presence showed a stark disdain for Trump and staunch support for Ukraine in the war against Russia. Routh admitted to voting for Trump in 2016 but said that he regretted it, according to NPR.
Routh sent glaring text messages to his family, including indications that he was heading to Mexico. The Norinco SKS semiautomatic rifle was found outside the golf course on the day of the incident. Routh has fired his public defenders and opted to defend himself in court.
Routh proposed asking politically charged questions to potential jurors, including about Trump's planned acquisition of Greenland and the country's stance on Palestine. Two of Routh's planned witnesses won't be able to attend the trial, one is going to Vietnam and the other fears deportation to Costa Rica.
If found guilty, Routh could face life in prison. The trial promises to be a dramatic and closely watched event, shedding light on the actions of a man who allegedly took aim at the President of the United States.
