The man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump in Florida last year has been barred by a federal judge from accessing classified material related to his case.
Judge Aileen Cannon ruled Friday that “the United States has made a sufficient showing that the information at issue was classified” and that releasing it “could cause serious damage or exceptionally grave damages to the national security of the United States.”
“The Court finds that the United States properly invoked the provisions of [the] Classified Information Procedures Act and its classified information privilege as to the information referenced in the classified order,” she added, granting a motion filed by federal prosecutors.
Ryan Routh, 59, was recently approved to represent himself at trial. He faces charges including attempted assassination of Trump, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms violations stemming from the Sept. 15, 2024 incident in Florida — marking the second assassination attempt against Trump within months. Routh has pleaded not guilty.
On Sept. 15, 2024, Routh allegedly concealed himself in bushes outside Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach armed with a rifle as Trump played golf. His son, Oran Routh, has pleaded guilty to a child pornography charge.
Before allowing Routh to proceed without counsel, Judge Cannon warned him in late July that his court-appointed attorneys “will defend you far better than you can defend yourself” and strongly urged him not to represent himself.
Fox News Digital reported in July that Routh submitted an unusual letter to the judge questioning why the death penalty was not an option and proposing a prisoner swap involving U.S. adversaries. In the letter, he even suggested being sent to Siberia in exchange for a Ukrainian soldier.
“Why is the death penalty not allowed? At nearly 60, a life of nothingness without love—what is the point? Why is it not all or nothing?” Routh wrote, as filed on the case docket.
He elaborated, “I had wished for a prisoner swap with Hamas, Iran… or China for Jimmy Lai or one of the 40 others, or to freeze to death in Siberia in exchange for a Ukrainian soldier… so I could die being of some use and save all this court mess.”
Routh then added sarcastically that the judge might have the power to trade him away, calling it an easy diplomatic victory for Trump.
“Perhaps you [Judge Cannon] have the power to trade me away… An easy diplomatic victory for Trump to give an American he hates to China, Iran, or North Korea… everyone wins.”
Judge Cannon also presided over Trump’s classified documents case, which she dismissed in July 2024. That case involved the FBI’s investigation into Trump and the 2022 raid on his Mar-a-Lago estate.
