FORT PIERCE, Fla. — The man charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump when he was running for president last year delivered the opening statement in his own trial Thursday.

Ryan Routh was arrested after a Secret Service agent said he spotted him holding a rifle near where Trump was golfing at his West Palm Beach club in September 2024.

Besides being charged with attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate, Routh faces four other counts, including attempting to assault a federal officer. If convicted on the attempted assassination charge, he faces a possible life sentence. Routh has pleaded not guilty.

After Routh became dissatisfied with his defense attorneys, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon gave him permission to represent himself in court. He did so during jury s

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