Would-be Trump assassin Ryan Routh to call only three witnesses in self-represented defense
Federal trial in Florida moves ahead as defendant, representing himself, limits witness list after prosecutors rest their case
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Ryan Routh, the man accused of trying to shoot President Donald Trump at a West Palm Beach golf club, will present a defense in federal court built around just three witnesses while proceeding without a traditional lawyer. Routh, who has chosen to represent himself, has indicated he will call a firearms expert and two character witnesses, and has not ruled out testifying in his own defense.
Prosecutors rested their case Friday after seven days of testimony and 38 witnesses in an effort to secure a life sentence if the defendant is convicted on all counts. Routh is charged with attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer and multiple firearm violations stemming from the Sept. 15, 2024, incident at Trump’s West Palm Beach country club. He has pleaded not guilty. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has allowed the self-representation under the Supreme Court’s Faretta framework, which permits defendants to waive counsel if they are capable of doing so. The judge has scheduled closing arguments for Tuesday, with jurors to begin deliberations after they conclude.
Court records show Routh told Cannon during hearings earlier this year that his court-appointed public defenders were diligent but “didn't listen to me” and were afraid of him, prompting his bid to proceed pro se. Standing by in the courtroom are standby attorneys from the U.S. Attorney’s Office who historically assist when needed but do not lead the defense.
The defense’s stated plan would require only a half-day or so of testimony, according to Routh’s remarks in court. Prosecutors signaled they would keep the pace brisk, given the relatively short cross-examinations so far, and Cannon has signaled patience for a timely resolution. The pace has quickened since the cross-examination workload proved lighter than anticipated.
In recounting the assault, a Secret Service agent testified last week that he spotted Routh before Trump entered view and that Routh pointed a rifle toward the agent. The agent fired, causing Routh to drop the weapon and flee without firing a shot. A witness who later saw a man fleeing after hearing gunfire was flown by police helicopter to a nearby interstate where Routh was taken into custody. The witness said he confirmed it was the person he had seen fleeing.
The Sept. 15, 2024, attack followed another attempt against Trump roughly nine weeks earlier during a campaign event in Pennsylvania, where a gunman fired eight shots, with one grazing Trump’s ear; that shooter was fatally shot by a Secret Service counter sniper. Federal prosecutors have linked the Florida incident to a sustained, weeks-long effort by Routh to insert himself into international conflicts, though the precise motivation remains part of the trial record.
Routh’s background is described in court filings and prior AP reporting. A North Carolina construction worker by trade, he had moved in recent years to Hawaii and presented himself to associates as a mercenary leader who discussed dangerous, sometimes violent plans to engage in conflicts abroad. In Greensboro, N.C., records show a 2002 arrest for eluding a traffic stop and barricading himself with a fully automatic weapon and a so-called weapon of mass destruction—though authorities said the device was an explosive with a 10-inch fuse. In 2010, a search of a warehouse owned by Routh turned up more than 100 stolen items, including tools and kayaks. In each case, judges imposed probation or suspended sentences. Federal charges are accompanied by state charges alleging terrorism and attempted murder.
As the trial advances, the question remains how much weight the jury will give to Routh’s self-representation and the defense’s limited witness list. Legal experts say Faretta rights require that a court ensure the defendant understands the consequences and can competently waive counsel; Cannon has already weighed in approving the pro se approach after multiple hearings.
The case has underscored the intersection of national politics and federal civil liberties, illustrating the pressure on courts to balancing fair trial rights with the need for an efficient process when an individual seeks to represent himself in a high-profile security matter tied to a sitting or former president.
Images provided for context show courtroom scenes from the proceedings and related security and law enforcement operations. 
The trial’s trajectory remains closely watched due to its proximity to the 2024 election cycle and the broader implications for presidential security and legal accountability. If convicted on the federal counts, Routh faces potential life imprisonment. Closing arguments are expected Tuesday, lasting roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes for each side, followed by juror deliberations.