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Fort Pierce, FL - Jury selection began Monday in the federal trial of Ryan Routh, the 59-year-old man charged with allegedly attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump in September 2024.
Routh appeared at the federal courthouse in Fort Pierce to begin what is expected to be a three-day process to select jurors for the trial.
He faces federal charges including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearm violations.
Court records show that on September 15, 2024, Routh allegedly waited nearly 12 hours near Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach before being confronted by law enforcement.
According to the arrest report, a Secret Service agent spotted the barrel of an SKS-style rifle protruding from the tree line near the sixth green of the course.
The agent fired at Routh as he attempted to flee, prompting a pursuit by Martin County Sheriff’s deputies. Routh was apprehended on a nearby highway.
Routh, a construction worker originally from Hawaii and North Carolina, has pleaded not guilty to all federal charges.
He is also facing state charges of terrorism and attempted murder, to which he has entered not guilty pleas.
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The trial, scheduled in December by U.S. Southern District Judge Aileen Cannon, is expected to last about one month.
Routh has indicated he will represent himself during the proceedings.
Opening statements are scheduled for Thursday. If convicted on the federal charges, Routh could face life in prison.
Authorities continue to emphasize the seriousness of the incident and the potential threat posed to a presidential candidate.