Trial of Ryan Routh, Accused in Trump Assassination Attempt, Delayed Until September 2025

The trial of Ryan Wesley Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump near West Palm Beach, Florida, has been rescheduled to September 8, 2025. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon announced the delay earlier this week, moving it from its original date of February 10, 2025, citing the complexity of the case and the defense’s need for additional preparation.

Routh, a 58-year-old resident of Hawaii, has pleaded not guilty to charges that include attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms violations. The charges stem from an incident on September 15, 2024, when Routh allegedly aimed a rifle at Trump while he played golf at his West Palm Beach country club.

Prosecutors allege Routh spent weeks planning the attack, positioning himself in shrubbery near the golf course. Before Trump came into view, a Secret Service agent spotted Routh, who then allegedly aimed the rifle at the agent.

The agent responded by firing at Routh, causing him to drop his weapon and flee without firing. He was arrested shortly afterward while driving on a nearby interstate. Investigators recovered a note allegedly left by Routh detailing his intentions.

The charges carry severe penalties, including the possibility of a life sentence for attempted assassination if convicted. During a recent hearing in Fort Pierce, Florida, Routh's attorneys requested a delay until at least December 2025, citing the extensive amount of evidence requiring review.

This includes hundreds of hours of police body camera footage, surveillance videos, and data from 17 cell phones and other electronic devices seized from Routh. The defense is also exploring an insanity defense but argued they needed more time to assess Routh’s mental competency.

Judge Cannon, while agreeing to postpone the trial, determined that a September 2025 date was reasonable and emphasized that further delays would be excessive. She also set deadlines for the defense, requiring any declarations of an insanity defense or motions regarding mental competency by early February 2025, and any site visits to the scene of the alleged assassination attempt to be completed by the end of that month.

Routh’s arrest occurred two months after another assassination attempt on Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where Trump was shot and wounded in the ear.

 While the Secret Service faced scrutiny for lapses in the Pennsylvania incident, the agency has stated that its protocols successfully thwarted the Florida attack. The incidents underscore the heightened security threats faced by political figures in a polarized climate.

Routh remains in custody at a federal detention center in Miami without bail. His trial is expected to draw significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the case and the gravity of the charges. If convicted, Routh could face life imprisonment.

The delay aims to ensure both the prosecution and defense have sufficient time to prepare for what is anticipated to be a highly consequential trial.