A man accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump at his golf club in Florida last September is permitted to hire an expert to inspect the rifle found at the scene, but exclusively to assess its functionality, according to a ruling by a federal judge on Tuesday.
Ryan Routh’s legal team requested permission for their expert to examine, photograph, and test the rifle to challenge the findings of the government expert and to gain additional relevant information. In her ruling on Tuesday, District Judge Aileen Cannon — appointed by Mr. Trump — restricted the examination solely to its operability, setting a deadline of May 15.
Routh, who has entered a not guilty plea, faces charges of attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, along with two firearms offenses. His federal trial is set for September, and he is expected to face further state charges.
According to prosecutors, Routh meticulously planned to kill Mr. Trump — who was then a presidential contender — for weeks, targeting him with a rifle while he was golfing on September 15, 2024, at his country club in West Palm Beach. Before the president came into view, Routh was noticed by a Secret Service agent. Allegedly, he aimed his rifle at the agent, who returned fire, prompting Routh to drop his weapon and flee without discharging a shot. Prosecutors assert he left a note outlining his intentions and was arrested shortly thereafter while driving on a nearby highway.
Federal prosecutors alleged last week that Routh also attempted to purchase an anti-aircraft weapon online to shoot down Mr. Trump’s aircraft. “I need equipment so that Trump cannot get elected,” Routh reportedly told an acquaintance from whom he was attempting to secure the weapon.
In a related matter, Routh’s attorneys filed a request last week to suppress testimony from the eyewitness who identified him. The defense team contended that law enforcement conducted “impermissibly suggestive” questioning by presenting the witness with a single photograph of Routh.
