A federal judge has set a September 2025 trial date for Ryan Routh, a Hawaii resident accused of attempting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump. The trial, originally scheduled for February 2025, will now begin on September 8th, 2025, according to a ruling issued Monday by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon.
Routh, 58, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His legal team had requested a delay until at least December 2024, citing the need for more time to review extensive evidence, including hundreds of hours of video footage and data from Routh’s 17 cell phones and other electronic devices. They also indicated a possible insanity defense.
Judge Cannon acknowledged the seriousness of the accusations and the substantial amount of evidence. While she granted a delay, she deemed a December start date excessive, finding that a September trial date would not constitute an unreasonable delay. The judge set deadlines of early February for any insanity defense or mental competency requests and the end of February for any site visits related to the attempted assassination.
Prosecutors allege Routh meticulously planned the attack, aiming a rifle at President-elect Trump while he played golf at his West Palm Beach country club on September 15, 2024. However, a Secret Service agent spotted Routh before he could fire, prompting a confrontation that resulted in Routh dropping his weapon and fleeing. A note detailing his intentions was reportedly left at the scene. Routh was apprehended shortly afterward.
The attempted assassination charge carries a potential life sentence. He also faces charges of assaulting a federal officer and three firearms-related offenses. Routh remains in custody without bail at a Miami federal jail.
This incident occurred two months after another assassination attempt on Trump during a Pennsylvania campaign rally, where he sustained a gunshot wound to the ear. While the Secret Service acknowledged security lapses in the Pennsylvania incident, they maintain that security protocols functioned effectively to prevent the Florida attack.