Ryan Routh, DOJ Offer Opening Arguments in Trump Assassination Attempt Trial

FORT PIERCE, Fla.—The trial of Ryan Routh, charged in the attempted assassination of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, has begun in Florida amid growing concerns about politically motivated violence in the United States. Routh, who is representing himself, and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Shipley offered opening arguments on Sept. 11 before hearing from a Secret Service agent, who testified that he confronted Routh at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course in September 2024, just weeks before the presidential election. Shipley’s opening argument laid out his findings for Routh’s preparation of the alleged assassination attempt—including allegedly traveling to Florida, using various aliases, encrypted communications, and purchasing a firearm. The case, he said, was not about whether the jury liked Trump or not but whether an attempt was made on Trump’s life. Routh “wanted to make sure the people of this country could not reelect” Trump....