Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, is expected to call three witnesses in his defense as his federal trial in Florida nears its conclusion.
Prosecutors allege Routh, a 58-year-old construction worker from North Carolina who later moved to Hawaii, plotted for weeks before aiming a rifle at Trump on September 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club. A Secret Service agent testified that he spotted Routh before Trump came into view, and when confronted, Routh pointed the rifle at him. The agent opened fire, forcing Routh to drop the weapon and flee without firing a shot.
Cell phone records show that shortly before the incident, Routh sent emotional text messages to his three adult children and fiancée, telling them he loved them. Later that day, he called his fiancée from jail, who informed him that news of his arrest had already gone public.
Federal prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida rested their case after presenting 38 witnesses over seven days. They are seeking a life sentence. Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms violations.
Acting as his own attorney, Routh told U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon he intends to call a firearms expert and two character witnesses. It remains unclear whether he will testify on his own behalf. His former public defenders continue to serve as standby counsel during the proceedings.
Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday, with jurors expected to begin deliberations immediately afterward. The trial has moved faster than anticipated due to Routh’s brief cross-examinations.
Routh has a history of brushes with the law, including past arrests involving illegal weapons and stolen property. Despite his past, he now faces the most serious charges of his life, with a verdict that could determine whether he spends the rest of his days in prison.
