The trial of Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old Hawaiian man accused of plotting to assassinate Donald Trump, has been postponed until September 2025. Originally scheduled for February, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon pushed the date back, stating the extra time wasn’t an “unreasonable delay.”
Routh, who allegedly lay in wait for nearly 12 hours near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach last September, was arrested after a Secret Service agent fired a shot toward him, spotting him with a rifle. He was later found driving a vehicle identified by a witness. If convicted of attempted assassination, Routh could face life in prison.
Defense attorneys had requested a December trial, arguing they needed more time to sift through extensive evidence, including hundreds of hours of video footage, 17 cellphones, and other electronic devices. They’re also considering an insanity defense.
Judge Cannon, while acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations, set February deadlines for any mental competency motions. She explained that delaying the trial beyond September would be excessive but agreed the defense needed adequate time to prepare.
Routh remains in federal custody in Miami without bail.
This case has drawn significant attention, not just for its high-profile target but also for the sheer complexity of the evidence and the legal strategies involved. As the September 2025 trial date approaches, all eyes will be on how the defense and prosecution build their cases.
