Jury selection has entered its final stages this week in Fort Pierce, Florida, for the high-profile federal trial of Ryan Routh, the 59-year-old construction worker accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club last September. The proceedings, which have drawn national attention, are unfolding nearly a year after the alleged plot was foiled by a vigilant Secret Service agent, and just months after another attempt on Trump’s life at a rally in Pennsylvania.
The process of selecting a jury began Monday, September 8, and is expected to wrap up by Wednesday, September 10, 2025. According to Fox News and the Associated Press, three groups of 60 potential jurors—180 in total—have been screened, with the goal of whittling the pool down to 12 jurors and four alternates who will ultimately decide Routh’s fate. By Tuesday night, 96 candidates remained, with further rounds of questioning scheduled for the following day.
Routh, who is representing himself in court despite having no formal legal experience, faces a daunting array of federal charges: attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple gun violations. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including separate state counts of terrorism and attempted murder.
The jury selection process has not been without drama or unusual moments. Routh’s approach to his own defense has been strikingly deferential and, at times, quirky. He has repeatedly apologized to prospective jurors and has often agreed—sometimes with a simple "no problem" or "sure"—when prosecutors moved to dismiss those who might have been sympathetic to him. As reported by USA Today, Routh’s defense appears to hinge on his character, with plans to introduce evidence of his "gentleness," Eagle Scout commendations, and community service projects.
Yet, Routh’s attempts to inject broader political or philosophical questions into jury selection were quickly rebuffed by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee. On Monday, Routh tried to ask potential jurors about topics as far-ranging as the war in Gaza, the U.S. acquisition of Greenland (a proposal once floated by Trump), and even what they’d do if they encountered a turtle in the road. Judge Cannon was having none of it, telling Routh, "None of the questions on your list have any bearing whatsoever. They were off base, sir, and have no relevance to jury selection." She signed off on his right to represent himself, but insisted that court-appointed attorneys remain as standby counsel.
The pool of potential jurors has proven as diverse as the questions posed. Some were excused for personal connections to the case: one man had been present at Routh’s arrest; another received a voicemail from Routh days before the alleged attempt. Others cited scheduling conflicts, like a barista with a planned trip to Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando, or family emergencies, such as a woman whose mother-in-law had just passed away. One prospective juror, a woman who openly identified as a "MAGA" supporter, told the judge she could not presume Routh innocent, stating, "I am MAGA and I love my president." Judge Cannon has been careful to remind all jurors of the presumption of innocence and to ask whether they could set aside personal feelings about Trump to decide the case based solely on evidence and the law.
The events that brought Routh to trial are as dramatic as any political thriller. On September 15, 2024, as Trump played the fifth hole at his West Palm Beach country club, a Secret Service agent patrolling the sixth hole spotted the barrel of a rifle protruding from a nearby tree line. According to federal prosecutors, Routh had been staking out the location for weeks, waiting for the right moment to strike. The agent drew his weapon and fired several times, causing Routh to drop his rifle and flee the scene without firing a shot. Routh was apprehended shortly afterward by local sheriff’s deputies following a high-speed chase.
Inside Routh’s vehicle, authorities found a trove of suspicious items: two license plates, six cellphones, a passport, and a handwritten list of venues where Trump was scheduled to appear. An unsealed exhibit list from prosecutors, as cited by USA Today, includes photos purportedly showing Routh holding the rifle found at the scene, texts referencing a "project in Florida," and numerous internet searches about Trump’s schedule and previous assassination attempts. Notably, prosecutors intend to present a WhatsApp message sent by Routh more than a week before the incident, in which he asked, "Hey genius…how much would you charge me for a daily location on Donald Trump’s airplane from the flight tracking apps???" Surveillance footage from Palm Beach International Airport, allegedly showing Routh monitoring Trump’s private plane, is also expected to be introduced as evidence.
Routh’s legal journey has been turbulent. In the months leading up to the trial, he fired his lawyers and insisted on defending himself, despite his lack of legal training. His court-appointed attorneys remain on hand as "standby counsel," ready to step in if needed. This decision has added another layer of complexity to a trial already fraught with political tension and public scrutiny.
The case unfolds against a backdrop of heightened concern for political violence in the U.S. Just nine weeks before the Florida incident, Trump survived a separate assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman fired eight shots—one grazing Trump’s ear—before being killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper. The proximity of these incidents has only intensified the spotlight on security for political figures and the broader issue of political extremism.
As jury selection moves toward its conclusion, opening statements are slated to begin Thursday, September 11, with the trial expected to last up to four weeks and conclude no later than October 3, 2025. Prosecutors are poised to present a detailed timeline of Routh’s alleged preparations, digital footprints, and actions leading up to the day of the attempted attack. For his part, Routh will have the opportunity to present his defense, focusing on his character and intent, though the weight of evidence against him appears substantial.
The outcome of this trial will not only determine Routh’s fate but also serve as a barometer for how the American legal system responds to threats against political leaders in an era of deep division and heightened rhetoric. As the jury is finalized and the trial begins in earnest, all eyes will remain fixed on the Fort Pierce courthouse, waiting to see how justice is rendered in a case that has captured the nation’s attention.
