FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — Ryan Routh texted his three adult children and his fiancée separately to tell them he loved them, shortly before authorities say he was spotted by a U.S. Secret Service agent. Routh allegedly aimed a rifle at former President Donald Trump while Trump played golf at his Florida golf course on September 15, 2024.
Later on the day of his arrest, Routh called his fiancée from Palm Beach County jail, but she was already aware of the situation. “Everybody knows, it’s been hours,” she remarked in a recorded call.
Representing himself in federal court, Routh is set to present his defense next week, having called only three witnesses. The prosecution concluded its case after a thorough week of presentations, having called 38 witnesses to ensure Routh faces a severe punishment.
Routh is charged with several offenses, including attempted assassination, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearm violations. Prosecutors allege that Routh had meticulously planned the attack.
Routh has pleaded not guilty to the charges and voiced that he needed minimal time to present his defense, rich with implications of his experience as a self-styled mercenary and a troublesome history with the law.
Jurors are expected to begin deliberating soon as both sides prepare their closing arguments. Significantly, this trial is appealing for its speed and the self-representation of Routh, which could shed light on the defendant’s complex motives and tumultuous past.
This event comes in a time where Trump has faced multiple threats to his safety, highlighting the tension surrounding political figures in America.
