Trump assassination attempt suspect goes off topic, loses right to opening statement at trial
World Desk
A suspect on trial for attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump last year lost the right to continue his opening statement on Thursday after veering off topic to discuss Adolf Hitler and wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Ryan Routh, 59, representing himself, was warned by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to stay on topic. His 10-minute initial statement was cut short for discussing unrelated matters.
Prosecutors said Routh had plotted for weeks to kill Trump while he played golf in West Palm Beach on Sept. 15, 2024. A Secret Service agent spotted him and fired, forcing him to drop his rifle and flee without harming anyone.
Routh faces charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and several firearm violations. He has pleaded not guilty.
The trial, expected to last two to three weeks, began with a 12-member jury and four alternates sworn in on Wednesday.
