Trump assassination suspect Ryan Routh was arrested for alleged attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, assaulting a federal officer, possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number in September 2024. (Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office)
Routh cross examines Fercano
Representing himself, Ryan Routh spent about 15 minutes questioning Special Agent Robert Fercano before the court broke for lunch.
Routh began with an unusual opener: "Good to see ya. First question, is it good to be alive?"
"Yes, it is good to be alive," Fercano replied.
Routh followed up: "I’m sure your family is happy you’re alive and well?" Prosecutors objected, and the agent did not answer.
Throughout the exchange, Fercano repeatedly identified Routh as the man he saw that day. "I saw you in the bushes… you smiled at me," he said. Routh did not dispute the identification.
Routh asked why Fercano moved off the golf cart path and onto a service path. Fercano said he was "thinking like a criminal" and noticed Routh along the fence line.
When Routh asked if a tree limb blocked his view, Fercano said, "The path was unobstructed."
Pressed on whether the suspect was concealed, Fercano answered: "Yes, you were concealed."
Routh asked, "You happened to see the individual driving by?" Fercano replied, "There was no individual driving by."
In a final series of questions, Routh pressed Fercano about sniper tactics: "As far as being a sniper, what would be the best stance to shoot people? Standing, crouching, laying down?"
Fercano responded: "I wasn’t a sniper… it depends."
Court recessed for lunch until 1:05 p.m., when prosecutors will decide whether to follow up with additional questions for Fercano.
Ryan Routh, representing himself in his federal trial where he is accused of attempting to assassinate Trump last year, spoke to jurors for just seven minutes before Judge Aileen Cannon cut off his opening statement, saying it had "absolutely nothing to do with this case."
Routh began by apologizing to the jury: "Sorry to take your time and disrupt your lives…I’m so sorry." He then launched into a meandering monologue, citing everything from prehistoric human history to world leaders.
"What is intent?... Why are we here? What is our intent? To love one another… Is this so difficult?" Routh asked. He went on to reference Adolf Hitler, Vladimir Putin, Sudan’s civil war, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
After four minutes, Judge Cannon interrupted, dismissed the jury, and warned Routh his remarks "go beyond any relevance in the case." When he returned to similar themes, she stopped him again.
RYAN ROUTH TRIAL: JURY SELECTION BEGINS IN TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT CASE
Suspected would-be assassin Ryan Routh was arrested by law enforcement in Florida in September 2024 and his federal trial begins Thursday. (Martin County Sheriff's Office/ REUTERS)
Jurors were shown photos of the golf course perch where prosecutors say Routh hid for 10 hours with his rifle chambered, safety off, and pointed at a Secret Service agent clearing the hole for Trump.
That agent, Fercano, testified Thursday. Shipley told jurors Fercano spotted Routh’s face in the bushes and saw "the muzzle of a rifle pointed directly at his face" before returning fire.
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"Had he not seen that rifle," Shipley said, "the defendant would have succeeded in killing Trump."
Routh has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer. Prosecutors say he was armed with an AK-style rifle when Secret Service agents stopped him near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach in September 2024. The attempt came just months after Trump was shot and narrowly survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pa.
Routh’s opening statement also began Thursday morning. He was given 41 minutes for his opening arguments, right after prosecutors finished their opening presentation.
This is a developing story. Check back here for live updates.
Jamie Joseph is a U.S. Politics reporter for Fox News Digital covering transgender and culture issues, the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, and stateside legislative developments.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ryan-routh-chastised-during-opening-statements-federal-trial-making-mockery