Judge Postpones Trial in Trump Assassination Attempt Case

A federal judge has delayed the trial of Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, to September 2025.

At a Glance

The trial for Ryan Routh, accused of plotting to assassinate Trump, has been postponed to September 8, 2025.
The delay allows more time for lawyers to review extensive evidence.
Routh faces multiple charges, including attempted assassination of a presidential candidate.
The defense has until February 3 to declare an insanity defense or present expert evidence of a mental condition.
Florida officials have accused federal authorities of hindering their investigation.

Judge’s Decision and Reasoning

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has postponed the trial of Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, to September 8, 2025. The decision comes as a response to the need for additional time for lawyers to review the substantial amount of evidence in the case.

Judge Cannon said that the defense team “had not meaningfully responded” to the prosecution’s evidence and mentioned that “mental health evaluations are ongoing.” This delay pushes the trial back from its initial February 10, 2025 date.

A man accused of attempting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump in South Florida won’t be tried until September 2025, a federal judge ruled this week.https://t.co/gEmAjzzcXb

— PBS News (@NewsHour) December 25, 2024

Charges and Allegations

Routh, a 58-year-old Hawaii resident, faces multiple serious charges. These include attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, assaulting a federal officer, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. If convicted, Routh could face a potential life sentence.

Judge Aileen Cannon emphasized the gravity of the situation, describing any further postponement as an “unreasonable delay” given the seriousness of the allegations.

Prosecutors allege that Routh planned the assassination for weeks. They claim he aimed a rifle at Trump while the former president was golfing but was spotted by a Secret Service agent. Routh then allegedly aimed his rifle at the agent, who fired, causing Routh to flee without shooting. He was arrested shortly after on a nearby interstate.

Legal Proceedings and Evidence

The defense team has been provided with extensive evidence, including 17 cellphones and hundreds of hours of video footage. This volume of material is part of the reason for the trial delay. Routh’s defense has until February 3 to declare an insanity defense or present expert evidence of a mental condition.

In addition to the federal charges, Routh is also facing state charges in Florida. He is accused of attempted murder related to a car crash during his apprehension, which injured a 6-year-old girl. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has emphasized the impact of Routh’s actions on the injured child and her family, pledging to seek justice.

Conflict Between State and Federal Authorities

The case has sparked tension between state and federal authorities. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and Governor Ron DeSantis have accused federal authorities of hindering their investigation into the assassination attempt.

As the legal proceedings continue, Routh remains held without bail in a federal jail in Miami. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing security concerns surrounding high-profile political figures and the complexities involved in prosecuting such cases.