Accused Trump Assassin to Represent Himself at Trial

A federal judge has ruled that Ryan Routh, the individual accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump in South Florida last year, can represent himself during his trial. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon approved Routh's request, but stipulated that court-appointed attorneys must remain as standby counsel.

Earlier in the week, the federal public defenders had requested to be removed from the case, citing Routh's refusal to meet with them despite repeated attempts. Routh, aged 59, is scheduled to stand trial in September, a year after prosecutors allege a U.S. Secret Service agent prevented his attempt to shoot Mr. Trump while he was golfing.

Routh has entered not guilty pleas to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and various firearm violations. He has also pleaded not guilty to state charges of terrorism and attempted murder. The judge has indicated that she does not intend to postpone the trial's start date of September 8, even with Routh representing himself. Routh, who has a limited educational background, assured the judge that he understood and would be prepared.

In a letter to the judge, Routh expressed a significant disagreement with his attorneys, stating they were unwilling to answer his questions. He also suggested the possibility of being used in a prisoner exchange with several countries. The federal public defender's office filed a motion to terminate their appointment, claiming an irreparable breakdown in the attorney-client relationship due to Routh's refusal to meet with them.

The U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed the right of criminal defendants to represent themselves in court, provided they demonstrate to a judge their competence to waive their right to legal counsel. Prosecutors have stated that Routh meticulously planned to kill Mr. Trump for weeks before aiming a rifle at him while he was golfing. A Secret Service agent intervened, spotting Routh before Mr. Trump came into view. The agent fired, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee.

Routh was reportedly armed with an AK-47-style rifle and was approximately 300-500 yards away from Mr. Trump when the Secret Service agent noticed his rifle. The incident followed another attempted assassination at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania.