Trial in Attempt to Assassinate Trump Concludes in Florida

Tue Oct 21 2025 02:28:58 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Ryan Routh rests his case without testifying as closing arguments approach in the trial concerning his alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump during a golf match.

The trial of Ryan Routh, charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at a Florida golf course, is nearing its conclusion. Routh, representing himself, faced strict instructions from the judge on adhering to courtroom decorum during closing arguments. He has pleaded not guilty to serious charges, including assaulting a federal officer, and opted not to testify in his own defense. The prosecution laid out a detailed case, outlining Routh's alleged premeditated actions to harm the former president.

FORT PIERCE, Fla. — The trial of Ryan Routh, who is accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a Florida golf course, is heading into its final phases. On Tuesday, Routh is expected to deliver his closing argument in a case that has captivated public attention.

Representing himself in federal court, Routh faces several serious charges, including attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, assault on a federal officer, and multiple firearm violations. He has entered a plea of not guilty.

Prosecutors argue that Routh methodically plotted Trump's assassination, culminating in an incident on September 15, 2024, when he allegedly took aim at Trump from behind some shrubbery while Trump played golf at his country club in West Palm Beach.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has emphasized to Routh that his closing remarks must strictly relate to the evidence presented during the trial. Any deviation could result in losing time allocated for his argument.

"This cannot be your opportunity to provide pseudo-testimony," Cannon stressed, referencing Routh's previous sidesteps during court proceedings.

Pursuing a self-representation route has garnered mixed outcomes for Routh. His earlier opening statement was cut short after he diverged into unrelated topics, including historical references, which led to a warning from the judge.

During the trial, Routh brought forward three witnesses, spending roughly three hours on his case, a stark contrast to the prosecution's extensive seven-day examination of 38 witnesses.

One notable moment in court came from a Secret Service agent who testified about witnessing Routh pointing a rifle at him before the agent fired warning shots, prompting Routh to drop his weapon and flee the scene.

Routh's past criminal history adds complexity to his case, with previous arrests tied to violent intentions and firearms. Along with federal charges, he faces state charges of terrorism and attempted murder.

As the trial nears its conclusion, attention remains fixed on how the jury will deliberate on the claims made by both the prosecution and Routh regarding this extraordinary case.