Judge Releases Letter From Trump Assassination Suspect—Read in Full

The man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump has stunned the court by announcing that he will represent himself at trial — a rare move in a case involving serious federal and state charges.

Ryan Routh, 59, is facing multiple federal counts, including attempted assassination of a former president and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is also being prosecuted by the state of Florida for attempted first-degree murder and terrorism.

📍 Background of the Case

The alleged attempt occurred on September 15, 2024, when Donald Trump was playing golf at his West Palm Beach resort. According to federal prosecutors, a Secret Service agent spotted a rifle barrel sticking through the golf course fence. The agent opened fire, prompting Routh to flee the scene. He was arrested shortly after in a neighboring county.

Authorities believe this was Routh’s second known attempt to harm Trump.

Just two months earlier, on July 13, 2024, Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a separate gunman, Thomas Crooks, opened fire at a rally, killing one spectator and injuring two others. That shooter was killed on site by a Secret Service sniper.

📝 A Letter to the Judge

In a letter sent to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, Routh dismissed his court-appointed public defenders and declared his intention to act as his own counsel.

“It was ridiculous from the outset to consider a random stranger who knows nothing of who I am, to speak for me,” Routh wrote in his June 29 letter.

The judge has scheduled a hearing to evaluate the decision, which will be held under seal to preserve attorney-client confidentiality. Legal experts note that while defendants have the constitutional right to self-representation, it is extremely uncommon — especially in federal cases with such high stakes.

📁 Evidence of a Coordinated Plot

The Department of Justice revealed that Routh allegedly kept a handwritten list of Trump’s upcoming public appearances, as well as a detailed plan to assassinate him, which he shared months before his arrest.

In that plan, prosecutors say Routh referred to his actions as a “failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump” and offered $150,000 to anyone willing to “finish the job.” The note was handed to a civilian who later gave it to authorities.

In a further twist, the DOJ alleges that Routh attempted to purchase a rocket launcher from Ukraine, using an encrypted messaging platform to contact what he believed was a supplier of military-grade weapons.

🗣️ Trump Reacts to the Incident

Trump addressed the West Palm Beach incident in a livestream posted on X (formerly Twitter):

“It was very peaceful, very beautiful weather. Everything was beautiful. And all of a sudden we heard shots being fired. I guess probably four or five... The Secret Service knew immediately it was bullets, and they grabbed me.”

🔒 What Comes Next?

Routh has pleaded not guilty to all charges. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment.

His trial is scheduled for September 2025. Prosecutors are expected to present evidence of premeditation, including digital communications and surveillance, to establish that Routh posed a clear and ongoing threat.