• Ryan Routh goes on trial for attempting to assassinate Donald Trump while he was golfing.
• Routh is representing himself, claiming dissatisfaction with appointed public defenders.
• The trial includes serious charges, potentially leading to a life sentence if convicted.
• Evidence against Routh includes a rifle and a handwritten note admitting to the assassination attempt.

The trial of Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, began with jury selection on September 8, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Florida. Routh, 59, faces five charges, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and multiple firearms offenses, which could result in a life sentence if convicted. This high-profile case is occurring alongside heightened scrutiny of political violence in the U.S., especially in the lead-up to critical elections, according to BBC and ABC News.

Routh has opted to represent himself in court after expressing dissatisfaction with his public defenders, stating they were "a million miles apart" on the case. He has made several bizarre requests and comments during pre-trial proceedings, including suggesting he would like to challenge Trump to a "beatdown session" or a golf match, reports NPR and Reuters.

Prosecutors allege that Routh concealed himself with an SKS-style rifle on September 15, 2024, near Trump's golf course with the intention to shoot him while he played. A Secret Service agent spotted Routh and opened fire, prompting him to flee the scene without firing, according to court documents and filings from CBS News and BBC.

In addition to the attempted assassination charge, Routh is charged with assaulting a federal officer and several counts of firearms violations. Evidence against Routh includes a rifle found near the scene, as well as a note in which he admitted, "This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but I failed you," according to reports from Reuters and documents from Le Monde.

Judge Aileen Cannon, who previously oversaw Donald Trump's classified documents case, is presiding over Routh's trial. She has warned him against using the proceedings to turn into "calculated chaos," reminding him that he could face legal repercussions for obstructive behavior. Routh's unconventional legal tactics have raised concerns, with experts noting that defendants who represent themselves often face a higher conviction rate, according to ABC News, NPR, and Reuters.