Ryan routh day one of Jury selection: Accused of Trying to Kill Donald Trump,Rifle Spotted Through Bushes

On the morning of September 8, 2025, federal court in Fort Pierce, Florida, buzzed with heightened tension as the jury selection process began in the case of Ryan Wesley Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump during a golf outing in West Palm Beach on September 15, 2024 

Routh, 59 and originally from North Carolina, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges: attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assault on a federal officer, firearms violations, terrorism, and attempted murder 

2. The Courtroom and the Judge

Judge Aileen Cannon, appointed by Trump, is presiding over the case. She has instructed prospective jurors to remain impartial, despite the intense media and political attention surrounding the proceedings 

Routh, who has dismissed his legal team and is representing himself pro se, faces serious limitations—Judge Cannon has disallowed many of his proposed juror questions as irrelevant or bizarre 

3. Routh’s Self‑Representation and Odd Filings

Despite lacking legal training, Routh has filed several unorthodox motions and court documents:

• During jury selection, he proposed questions about Gaza, Greenland acquisition by the U.S., and even hypothetical scenarios involving turtles crossing roads—Judge Cannon noted these were irrelevant and barred them 

• In earlier filings, Routh issued a bizarre challenge to Trump: a golf match where if Trump wins, he could “execute” Routh; if Routh wins, he gets to be President 

• He also submitted incendiary, profanity-laced statements calling Trump an “idiot,” a “baboon,” and a “racist pig”.

Judge Cannon has emphasized protocol: Routh must dress formally, remain under courtroom supervision, and avoid any sudden movements—she has warned marshals to watch him closely 

4. The Day-One Jury Selection

The jury selection began with Routh’s apology to the jury pool—he expressed regret for involving them in the trial 

Some potential jurors were promptly dismissed—for instance, a woman who openly voiced Trump support was not selected, reinforcing the judge’s insistence on impartiality 

Routh attempted to ask unusual questions to reveal potential bias, but these were struck down as irrelevant 

The selection process is expected to last three days, with opening statements scheduled for Thursday, marking the start of the trial phase 

5. Background: The Alleged Assassination Attempt and Evidence

5.1 The Incident (September 15, 2024)

Prosecutors allege that Routh stalked Trump’s golf movements, arriving near the club around 1:59 a.m., and waited concealed in the bushes approximately 400–500 yards from Trump’s position on the course 

During a protective sweep of the sixth hole, a Secret Service agent spotted a rifle barrel protruding from the brush and opened fire. Routh dropped the weapon and fled in a black SUV; he was later apprehended on Interstate 95 

He never fired a shot, and Trump was never within his line of sight 

5.2 Evidence Presented

Prosecutors are presenting a compelling array of evidence:

• The SKS-style rifle equipped with a scope and ballistics plates, the digital camera, fields of ammunition, and backpacks found near the site .

• A handwritten note left beforehand: “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but I failed you. I tried my best… I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job.” Routh attempted to argue that the full note context was meant to convey “non‑violence,” but prosecutors view it as direct evidence of intent 

• Routh’s cell tower data placing him in proximity to the golf course and Mar‑a‑Lago in the weeks prior.

• A “sniper’s nest”—a makeshift platform between two bags with protective plates—positioned to protect Routh during the attempt 

6. Legal Context and Charges

6.1 Charges Against Routh

He faces multiple federal charges:

• Attempted assassination of a presidential candidate

• Assault on a federal officer

• Firearm violations including possessing as a felon and using a gun with a defaced serial number

• Terrorism and attempted murder under state charges 

If convicted, Routh faces life in prison—possibly even the death penalty—depending on the jury’s verdict and judicial discretion 

6.2 Self-Defense and Expert Evidence

Routh requested permission to hire an expert to test the rifle’s operability; Judge Cannon allowed limited testing focusing only on function, due by mid‑May 

7. Stakes of the Trial

7.1 Security and Political Implications

Coming just nine weeks after a shooting incident in Pennsylvania, this case underscores the heightened risks facing high-profile political figures 

7.2 Self‑Representation Risks

Defendants representing themselves often face significant disadvantages. Routh’s erratic filings—like his lethal golf challenge and off-topic juror questions—could undermine his credibility. Judge Cannon’s firm oversight may mitigate some risk, but the courtroom attention on Routh’s behavior continues to overshadow substantive defense strategy 

8. What Day One Signals Going Forward

• Jury composition will be crucial: Any juror perceived as biased is being removed, striving for impartiality amid politically charged atmosphere 

• Opening statements loom: Once selected, jurors will hear the case’s opening narratives—with prosecutors framing Routh as meticulous and dangerous, while Routh must figure out how to humanize himself or challenge facts effectively.

• Media and public scrutiny: With comparisons to other high-stakes Trump-related cases and Routh’s own disturbing actions, the trial is under close watch 

9. Conclusion

Day one of jury selection in the Ryan Routh trial set the stage for a high-stakes legal battle—one marked by a defendant representing himself, swirling political overtones, and an abundance of physical and digital evidence. As the courtroom enters opening statements, the foundation has been laid: Judge Cannon’s stern oversight, Routh’s unpredictable yet procedural presence, and prosecutors’ extensive preparation signal one of the most watched trials of the year.