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The man who attempted to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump at a golf course in Florida has requested a 10-month delay for his trial.
Some background before you read: Back on September 15th, Ryan Routh attempted to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Armed with a loaded rifle, Routh spent about 12 hours staking out the perimeter near the course’s sixth hole, waiting for an opportunity. His plan was thwarted when a Secret Service agent spotted him aiming the weapon toward the area where Trump was golfing. Routh fled the scene but was later apprehended after an investigation, with authorities uncovering a note in which he confessed to making the assassination attempt.
What’s going on now: In court filings, attorneys for Routh have requested a 10-month delay for his trial, pushing it from February 2025 to December 2025, arguing that the volume of evidence in the case is extraordinary and requires more time for review. The defense stressed that the discovery includes terabytes of data from 18 phones, three computers, three tablets, five storage disks, and thousands of files, alongside expert analyses and FBI lab results. The defense also pointed out that discovery materials were only made fully accessible recently, leaving insufficient time to evaluate potential defenses and consult with their client.
The evidence: In their investigation, prosecutors have indicated that Ryan Routh’s motives for targeting President-elect Donald Trump may have stemmed from a mix of personal beliefs and activism. One notable takeaway was Routh’s strong support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. Authorities also uncovered a note written by Routh, addressed to the “world,” in which he admitted to planning an assassination attempt, suggesting his actions were driven by deeply held political or ideological grievances.
Government stance on a delay: Prosecutors have stated that while they are open to a delay in the trial, they consider the defense’s request to postpone proceedings until December 2025 to be unreasonable. They argue that the government will be prepared to proceed with the trial on the original February 2025 date and believe any further delay should be minimal.
