The prosecution has wrapped up its case in the dramatic trial of Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his Florida golf course last year. The courtroom in Fort Pierce, Florida, has been the center of national attention as federal prosecutors methodically laid out what they describe as a calculated, months-long plot—complete with surveillance, burner phones, and farewell messages—culminating in an alleged attempt on Trump’s life on September 15, 2024.
Routh, who is not a lawyer, has insisted on representing himself throughout the proceedings, a decision that has both fascinated and concerned legal observers. According to coverage by ABC News, he plans to call three witnesses for his defense, including a firearms expert and two character witnesses, when court resumes on Monday. His daughter, Sara Routh, has attended every day of the trial, offering unwavering support. “My dad is my best friend and I will never leave his side,” she told reporters, adding, “I think he is doing a great job for no law education and no materials and no resources.” She noted that his access to legal materials has been severely limited while in jail, lacking even basic law books or a law library.
The prosecution’s final witness was FBI Supervisory Special Agent Kimberly McGreevy, who spent hours cataloging the mountain of evidence collected. According to WPBF 25 News, more than 700 exhibits were introduced over seven days, ranging from cell phone records and text messages to Google searches and surveillance photos. McGreevy’s testimony painted a picture of a man who spent the month leading up to the alleged attack living out of a gas station and a truck stop in Palm Beach County, tracking Trump’s movements between Mar-a-Lago, his golf club, and the local airport.
On the day in question, a Secret Service agent conducting a security sweep near the sixth hole of Trump’s golf course spotted the barrel of a rifle poking through the brush. As reported by NPR, the agent testified that he saw Routh’s partially obscured face and the rifle aimed directly at him. The agent fired at Routh, who then fled the scene, leaving the weapon behind. A nearby witness, Tommy McGee, saw Routh running from the course and getting into a black SUV. Thanks to a photo of the license plate taken by another witness, law enforcement was able to apprehend Routh as he headed northbound on I-95.
Investigators recovered a trove of evidence from the black SUV Routh had been living in. According to the U.S. Department of Justice and testimony cited by WPBF 25 News, the vehicle contained six cellphones, three license plates, a bullet casing, and notes detailing flights to Mexico and Colombia. There were also handwritten lists of dates and venues where Trump had appeared or was expected to appear. The prosecution argued that these materials showed a methodical plan to track and ultimately assassinate Trump.
Further evidence included texts from a burner phone to a contact in Mexico, with Routh writing he “might be there Monday”—the day after the alleged assassination attempt. The government argued that this indicated plans to flee if he managed to escape. Google searches for flights from Miami International Airport to Mexico supported this theory. Farewell-style messages sent to his loved ones in the hours before the alleged attempt were also highlighted. As the FBI agent read to the jury, Routh texted his girlfriend, “Love you forever, babe,” his daughter Sara, “Love you so much, you are the best daughter,” and his son Adam, “You are so awesome, dude, love you so much.” Another message to his son Oran received the reply, “Love you too, Dad. What’s up, everything alright?”
Testimony also revealed that Routh had reached out to his girlfriend in Hawaii about the capacity and range of the SKS rifle he had purchased. “How many bullets does an SKS rifle hold? An AK-47 can shoot to 500 meters. I have to get to 400,” he wrote, according to NPR. FBI forensic analysis confirmed that Routh’s fingerprint was found on the scope of the SKS rifle recovered at the scene, and weapons experts testified that the rifle was in working order.
Adding to the evidence, two brothers from North Carolina, Samuel and Lazaro Plata, testified through translators that Routh had left a container filled with pipes, bullets, wires, and other items at Lazaro’s home in April 2024—months before the alleged attempt. This, prosecutors argued, demonstrated a longer history of preparation and intent.
The trial itself got off to a rocky start on September 11, when Routh—handling his own defense—was repeatedly admonished by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon. During his opening statement, Routh veered into philosophical territory, discussing the beginnings of the human species, world leaders, and campfires, before becoming emotional. The judge stopped him, explaining that opening statements must focus on the facts and evidence. When Routh returned to the jury, he declared, “this case means absolutely nothing,” prompting Judge Cannon to end his opening statement altogether. She later told him, “I gave you one more chance and you continued to read what has no relevance for this case.”
Throughout the trial, Routh’s lack of legal training has been evident. His cross-examinations have included unusual lines of questioning, such as asking a witness if he was a Trump supporter—an inquiry the prosecution successfully objected to. Nevertheless, Routh has remained steadfast, planning to call witnesses to testify to his “peacefulness, gentleness and non-violence,” as reported by NPR. Judge Cannon has, however, barred him from arguing that his alleged actions were justified, that he lacked intent, or that his actions were protected by the First Amendment.
With the prosecution resting after a marathon review of evidence, the government is confident that its case demonstrates not only Routh’s planning and surveillance but also his intent to carry out the assassination. As WPBF 25 News summed up, the combined records and testimony present a single, compelling narrative for the jury to consider.
Now, as the defense prepares to present its case, all eyes remain on the Fort Pierce courtroom. The outcome will hinge on whether Routh can counter the government’s exhaustive evidence and convince the jury of his version of events. For a nation watching closely, the trial has become a test not only of one man’s fate but also of the resilience and transparency of the American justice system when faced with the gravest of accusations.
