Ryan Routh, the 59-year-old man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club last September, asked a federal judge on Thursday to dismiss his court-appointed lawyers and let him serve as his own attorney. The request was made during a hearing before U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon in Fort Pierce, Florida. Judge Cannon questioned Routh for about half an hour on whether he understands the risks of self-representation and briefly closed the courtroom to discuss matters that could involve attorney-client privilege. She did not rule immediately and said any decision will not postpone the trial, which is set to begin on Sept. 8. Prosecutors say Routh spent weeks planning the Sept. 15, 2024, attack and was armed with an SKS-style rifle when a Secret Service agent spotted him in shrubbery several hundred yards from Trump. The agent opened fire, prompting Routh to flee before being arrested on a nearby interstate. Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges that include attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms violations; a conviction could carry a life sentence.
Man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump wants to represent himself in Florida case https://t.co/XsDYJ2mFWr https://t.co/0cP0UmFG4N
A man charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at his Florida golf course told a federal judge Thursday he wants to fire his court-appointed lawyers and represent himself. https://t.co/FGh4InYLXD
Man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump wants to represent himself in Florida case https://t.co/Jin0aN1UUo https://t.co/TZKNjpl3i6