Judge Cuts Off Unhinged Opening Statement by Man Accused of Attempting to Assassinate Trump

Ryan Routh, the man accused of plotting to assassinate President Donald Trump on his golf course, delivered a meandering, off-topic opening statement at his trial Thursday, drawing several sharp rebukes from the judge, who eventually cut him off.

Routh, 59, was arrested nearly one year ago, accused of an elaborate plot to stalk Trump for weeks at his Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach and assassinate him. The Secret Service reported spotting Routh pointing a rifle barrel through a chain link fence in the then-candidate’s direction as he golfed, just a few hundred yards away. Secret Service agents approached and confronted Routh and leading to a shootout between Routh and law enforcement. Routh fled but was soon apprehended and arrested. Police collected evidence at the scene, including an AK-47 rifle with a scope, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera, along with searching his vehicle along the nearby highway where he was arrested.

The incident occurred about two months after Trump survived a prior assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Charges against Routh included “attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, assaulting a federal officer (a Secret Service Agent), felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.” He pleaded not guilty and decided to represent himself, dismissing his attorneys in July via a letter to the judge assigned to the case, Aileen Cannon with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, a Trump appointee who has handled several notable past cases involving the president due to his residence at Mar-a-Lago falling in her court’s jurisdiction.

“I will be representing myself moving forward; It was ridiculous from the outset to consider a random stranger that knows nothing of who I am to speak for me,” wrote Routh. “I am so sorry, I know this makes your life harder.” His court-appointed public defenders were ordered to remain in the courtroom as standby counsel during all proceedings and are available to advise Routh if he so chooses.

Last week, Routh filed a motion with a series of bizarre requests, including asking for strippers to be sent to his prison cell, a “beatdown session” with Trump (“let the old fat man give it his worst”), and even a “round of golf with the racist pig, he wins he can execute me, I win I get his job. (sorry hillbilly Vance).”

Cannon sparred with Routh earlier this week over jury selection issues and questions Routh he asked jurors about their views on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, Trump’s discussions about acquiring Greenland, and “and even what they would do if a turtle crossed the road while they were driving,” reported Fox News.

In other pretrial motions, Cannon barred Routh from presenting arguments that his alleged actions were protected by the First Amendment or otherwise justified, or that he did not intend to carry out the assassination.

After the jury selection was finalized, Thursday’s opening statement elicited another rebuke from Cannon after Routh repeatedly went off-topic.

Among the issues he mentioned were criticizing American foreign policy, accusing the U.S. government of inaction while “Putin has slaughtered 1.5 million” and “Netanyahu has killed 60,000,” saying that meant the U.S. “supports his genocide.” He additionally accused Trump of “trading a war for an election” and criticized the decision to relocate the U.S. embassy in Israel.

Cannon interrupted Routh to remind him to stay on topic, and the defendant shifted to urging jurors to favorably view his intent, getting cut off by the judge a second time, as reported by ABC News:

“This case hangs on intent. What is in one’s heart,” he said before nearly breaking into tears.

“This case means absolutely nothing. A life has been lived to the fullest,” he said before Cannon cut him off again.

Routh then started pontificating about more of his political grievances, conflicts around the world, American settlement of the West, and even the origin of the human species. After roughly six minutes, the judge cut him off yet again, and sent the jury out of the courtroom before scolding him for making arguments that have “absolutely nothing to do with the evidence in this case.”

“You do not have an unlimited license to go forward to make a mockery of the dignity of this courtroom,” said Cannon.

Watch the video above via ABC News.