Ryan Wesley Routh has transformed his federal trial into a spectacle of bizarre behavior and outlandish requests, challenging President Donald Trump to a golf match while facing charges for allegedly attempting to assassinate him at a Florida golf course in September 2024.
The 59-year-old Hawaii resident, who is representing himself in the high-profile case, has submitted a series of peculiar court filings in recent weeks. In one motion, Routh proposed settling his differences with Trump through “a round of golf with the racist pig, he wins he can execute me, I win I get his job,” also referencing Vice President JD Vance as “hillbilly Vance.” The filing suggested alternative resolution methods, including what he termed a “beatdown session” with the president.
Jury selection began September 8, 2025, at the federal courthouse in Fort Pierce, Florida, with opening statements scheduled to begin today, September 11. The proceedings are overseen by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who previously dismissed classified documents charges against Trump.
During the first day of jury selection, Routh attempted to ask potential jurors about their views on the war in Gaza, the prospect of the United States acquiring Greenland, and what they would do if they encountered a turtle in the road while driving. Cannon dismissed these questions as politically charged and irrelevant to the jury selection process, warning Routh not to interrupt when he attempted to protest.
The trial stems from events on September 15, 2024, when Routh allegedly positioned himself in shrubbery at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach with an AK-style rifle. Secret Service agent Robert Fercano testified that he came within five feet of Routh before realizing he was armed, stating that “the barrel of the AK was pointed directly at my face.”
Fercano described initially thinking Routh was a homeless person camping in the area before spotting what he identified as a Soviet-style weapon. The agent characterized the situation as appearing to be a textbook ambush scenario, prompting him to fire his service weapon. Routh fled the scene without firing a shot, leaving behind his rifle and body armor.
During cross-examination, Routh appeared to acknowledge his presence at the golf course, asking Fercano whether “the defendant was fairly concealed” and receiving confirmation that he was. The exchange began with Routh greeting the agent and asking if it was good to be alive, to which Fercano responded affirmatively.
Prosecutors allege Routh spent weeks methodically planning the assassination attempt, including purchasing military-grade weapons, researching Trump’s movements, and utilizing multiple burner phones. FBI agents recovered an SKS semiautomatic rifle with a scope, an extended magazine, a backpack, and documents containing a list of dates and venues where Trump had appeared or was expected to appear.
The government also plans to introduce portions of what they describe as Routh’s confession letter, which allegedly states that the incident was an assassination attempt on Trump and expresses regret for failing. Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and several firearm violations.
Routh’s decision to represent himself came after he indicated that he and his court-appointed attorneys were “a million miles apart” with an “irreconcilably broken” relationship. Cannon initially called his request to serve as his own lawyer a bad idea, but ultimately approved it while requiring standby counsel to remain available.
Among Routh’s unusual pretrial requests was housing in “a far off, quiet room” with access to documents, phone, visitation, email, a typewriter, female strippers, and a putting green. He has repeatedly disparaged Trump in court filings as a “fragile victim,” “insecure ego idiot-mad fool,” and “baboon.”
During opening statements, Routh was cut off by Judge Cannon after approximately six minutes for making arguments she deemed irrelevant to the case. He had launched into a speech about human evolution, global conflicts, and political grievances before the judge warned him against making a mockery of the courtroom’s dignity.
The jury of 12 members and four alternates was selected after three days of questioning from a pool of 180 potential jurors. Routh objected to including anyone with law enforcement connections, stating he believed most members of law enforcement were unable to serve impartially. The trial is expected to continue for two to three weeks, with Routh facing a potential life sentence if convicted on the most serious charges.