Man charged with attempted assassination of Trump rests own case

Greg Allen

September 22, 2025 / 10:48 am

FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Ryan Routh , the man charged in the attempted assassination of Donald Trump last year, rested his case on Monday after only a few hours of presenting his own defense and calling three witnesses.

Federal prosecutors rested their case Friday after spending seven days presenting 38 witnesses who detailed what they say was Routh's planned attack against the then-presidential candidate as he golfed at his West Palm Beach club on September 15, 2024. Routh has pleaded not guilty to all five counts.

In court Monday, Routh's lead-off witness was Michael McClay, a former Marine sniper who saw active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Routh called him as a gun expert

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