Ryan Routh, repping himself in attempted Trump assassination trial, files bonkers witness list

The trial of the man accused of plotting to assassinate President Trump has taken a bizarre turn as the defendant, Ryan Routh, representing himself in court, rolled out a list of witnesses he wanted to call to the stand. The list included President Trump himself, activist Mahmoud Khalil, and even a Secret Service agent who he claimed asked him to “spank/slap ass.”

Routh, who is facing charges for allegedly attempting to gun down Trump at his Florida golf course last year, filed the list of 24 witnesses on Sept. 2, referring to Trump as an “insecure ego idiot-mad fool.” However, most of the witnesses on his list were denied by Judge Aileen Cannon.

Among the witnesses Routh wanted to call was the Secret Service agent who caught him in the bushes of Trump International West Palm Beach golf course with a SKS assault rifle. Routh claimed that the agent asked him to “spank/slap ass,” a request he refused. He also listed Palestinian activists, professors, and experts, including Mahmoud Khalil, as potential witnesses.

During a hearing last week, Judge Cannon denied Routh’s request to call most of his potential witnesses, citing it as untimely and insufficient. However, she did allow a few friends and family members to testify on Routh’s behalf. Prosecutors, on the other hand, plan to call law enforcement agents from various agencies to testify.

As the trial continues with jury selection and opening statements scheduled for Thursday, Routh’s behavior in court has been unpredictable. Judge Cannon has warned him to follow the rules of the court, but if his past actions are any indication, the trial could be quite eventful.

Routh, who has been in custody since his arrest, pleaded not guilty to the charges related to the alleged assassination plot. He could face life in prison if convicted. Despite his unconventional approach to the trial, the legal proceedings are expected to continue for the next few weeks.