Trial Delayed for Man Accused of Attempting to Assassinate Donald Trump

The trial of Ryan Wesley Routh, a Hawaii man accused of attempting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump near West Palm Beach, has been postponed until September 2025. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon announced the new trial date of September 8, 2025, in an order released Monday, pushing it back from the originally scheduled date of February 10, 2025.

Routh, 58, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His attorneys had requested a further delay until at least December 2025, citing the need for additional time to review extensive evidence, including hundreds of hours of police body camera and surveillance footage, as well as numerous electronic devices owned by Routh, such as 17 cellphones.

During a hearing in Fort Pierce, Florida, the defense indicated they were considering an insanity defense but required more time to evaluate their strategy. Judge Cannon acknowledged the seriousness of the case and agreed to allow additional preparation time. However, she declined to postpone the trial to December, deeming it excessive. She emphasized that the September start date provided a fair balance, avoiding “unreasonable delay.”

The judge also set strict deadlines for the defense. Any request related to an insanity defense or mental competency must be filed by early February 2025. Additionally, any visit to the scene of the alleged assassination attempt must occur by the end of February.

The case continues to draw significant attention given the high-profile nature of the allegations.