U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has postponed the trial of Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump, until September 8, 2025.
Routh’s attorneys had sought a more extensive delay, pushing for a December 2025 trial date, citing the extensive volume of evidence involved in the case. However, Judge Cannon deemed the defense’s request excessive and set the trial date for September instead.
Ryan Routh was charged in September with the attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate after allegedly positioning a rifle near the fence line at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course.
Federal prosecutors claim Routh had established a sniper’s nest in the shrubbery outside the perimeter of the golf course, creating a base to target Trump.
Authorities discovered a loaded SKS-style 7.62×39 caliber rifle equipped with a scope, along with two backpacks containing supplies, including food and ceramic tiles believed to be makeshift body armor. Additionally, a GoPro camera was found, raising suspicions that Routh may have been recording or monitoring his actions.
Routh faces multiple federal charges. He is accused of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, as well as receipt of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, which could result in up to 5 years in prison and an additional $250,000 fine.
Prosecutors allege that in the month leading up to his arrest, Routh repeatedly traveled near Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course and Mar-a-Lago residence.
His movements and preparations, including setting up the sniper’s nest, reportedly demonstrated a clear intent to carry out his plan.
Routh’s legal team requested the trial be delayed until December 2025 to allow adequate time to review the substantial evidence involved.
However, Judge Cannon rejected the extended timeline, calling it unwarranted. “The delay sought by the defense is excessive given the circumstances,” she stated in her order.
Instead, Cannon rescheduled the trial to September 8, 2025, balancing the defense’s need for preparation with the importance of proceeding with the case in a timely manner.
Routh has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges against him. If convicted, he faces significant prison time and substantial financial penalties. The case remains under intense scrutiny due to its high-profile nature and the severity of the allegations.
As the trial date approaches, federal prosecutors and defense attorneys will continue to prepare their cases, reviewing the evidence that includes surveillance footage, physical items recovered from the scene, and Routh’s activities leading up to his arrest.
The outcome of the trial could have profound implications for the enforcement of security measures surrounding political figures and the handling of cases involving threats to national leaders.
