Trial Set for Man Accused of Attempting to Assassinate Trump

A judge was appointed last year to oversee the trial of a man charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump during a golf outing in South Florida.

As reported by Hill’s sister network, News Nation, the third day of jury selection was focused on the criminal case involving Ryan Rouse, a native of North Carolina.

The trial is slated to begin on Thursday.

Rouse has pleaded not guilty to five charges, including the attempted assassination of a prominent presidential candidate. If he is found guilty, he could face a life sentence.

Federal prosecutors assert that Rouse loitered around Trump’s West Palm Beach Golf Course for twelve hours last year, brandishing a rifle near the sixth hole. They claim that Secret Service agents observed him and pursued him, though he fled without discharging the weapon.

News Nation reports that one juror has a young child, while others on the jury have ties to law enforcement. Notably, one juror’s mother worked as a clerk for another federal judge involved in Rouse’s case.

A different juror revealed they were victims of a crime, highlighting the diverse backgrounds among those selected.

The incident at Trump International Golf Club occurred last September, just two months after Trump faced another assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. In that instance, the shooter was killed by Secret Service snipers after firing shots, whereas law enforcement apprehended Rouse while he was driving on Interstate 95, just north of the golf course.

The prosecution plans to call approximately forty witnesses, primarily law enforcement officers. They intend to present evidence, including photos of Rouse with a semi-automatic rifle similar to the one found at the golf club, as outlined in a sealed exhibit list.

In contrast, Rouse’s defense will focus on his character, arguing that he is not a dangerous individual.

The trial will be overseen by U.S. District Judge Irene Cannon, a Trump appointee, who previously managed the case involving the president’s classified documents.

Despite initial attempts by Rouse’s public defenders to prevent him from representing himself, the judge opted not to intervene. The government has allocated four weeks for the trial but anticipates it may conclude sooner.

Updated at 2:58pm