Trial Delayed for Man Accused of Plotting to Assassinate Trump at Golf Course
Donald Trump speaks during Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
The trial for Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old accused of plotting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been rescheduled to September 8, 2025. Originally set to begin on February 10, 2025, the trial’s postponement was ordered by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who ruled that the delay did not constitute an “unreasonable delay,” according to the Associated Press (AP).
Judge Cannon, known for previously dismissing a classified documents case against Trump, granted the new trial date following a request by Routh’s defense attorneys. The attorneys had argued for more time to review extensive evidence and consider pursuing an insanity defense.
The evidence includes hundreds of hours of police body camera footage, surveillance videos, and data from 17 cellphones and numerous electronic devices owned by Routh. The AP report noted that Cannon justified the extension by emphasizing the gravity of the allegations.
While she acknowledged the defense’s need for additional preparation time, she ruled that a trial start no earlier than December 2025 would be excessive. She also set February 2025 deadlines for defense attorneys to determine whether they will mount an insanity defense and submit any related motions concerning Routh’s mental competency.
The charges stem from an incident on September 15, 2024, when prosecutors allege that Routh was armed with a rifle and had been waiting near Trump International Golf Course for nearly 12 hours. According to a criminal complaint, a U.S. Secret Service agent fired a gunshot toward Routh after spotting him with the weapon.
He was arrested shortly afterward when police located his vehicle based on a witness’s description. Routh remains in federal custody in a Miami prison without bail. If convicted of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
“In her order, Cannon said she wanted to err on the side of providing more time given the seriousness of the allegations,” the AP reported, highlighting the conservative jurist’s approach to balancing fairness and expediency in this high-stakes case.
Routh’s trial is expected to draw significant attention given the political implications and the nature of the charges.
