A federal judge slammed the brakes on would-be killer Ryan Routh’s bid to access classified documents, citing national security risks that could shake the nation, as the Daily Mail reports. The 59-year-old, accused of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump, got a reality check from Judge Aileen Cannon. Her ruling underscores the gravity of keeping sensitive information under wraps.
Routh allegedly aimed a rifle at Trump on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach golf course, only to be thwarted by a quick-acting Secret Service agent. Judge Cannon’s Friday decision sealed all related materials, invoking the Classified Information Procedures Act. The move ensures that whatever Routh was after stays locked away, leaving questions about what secrets he thought he could uncover.
The incident unfolded just a few hundred yards from where Trump was golfing, a bold and dangerous act. A Secret Service agent spotted Routh lurking behind a bush, rifle in hand, and opened fire as Trump was whisked to safety. Routh’s alleged plot was foiled, but the audacity of it raises eyebrows about his motives.
Judge Cannon didn’t mince words: “The United States has made a sufficient showing that the information at issue was classified.” She warned that disclosing it could cause “serious damage or exceptionally grave damages” to national security. That’s a polite way of saying Routh’s fishing expedition could have catastrophic consequences.
Routh faces a laundry list of charges, including attempted assassination, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearm violations. As a convicted felon, he had no business owning a handgun, let alone one with a scrubbed serial number. His not-guilty plea seems more like a defiant shrug than a defense.
Prosecutors say Routh aimed his rifle at the Secret Service agent, a reckless move that could’ve ended in tragedy. The agent’s swift response ensured Trump’s safety, but the incident exposes the lengths some will go to disrupt the nation. Routh’s actions scream desperation, not strategy.
Last month, Routh was granted permission to represent himself in his upcoming trial, a decision Judge Cannon cautioned against. “Will defend you better than you can defend yourself,” she told him, a jab at his overconfidence. Court-appointed attorneys remain on standby, likely bracing for a legal trainwreck.
Routh’s motions include a push to exclude evidence like messages from his former employer, Tina Cooper, who admitted to conspiring with him to illegally obtain weapons. He claims the prosecution is trying to “silence the defense in every fashion.” Sounds like someone’s already crafting a victim narrative.
Federal prosecutors aren’t buying it, arguing Routh’s evidence risks turning the trial into a “circus.” They expect him to lean on his self-published books and other writings, which could flood the courtroom with irrelevant rants. “Plainly inadmissible evidence” is their polite way of calling it a distraction.
In a bizarre letter to Judge Cannon, Routh questioned why the death penalty wasn’t on the table, musing, “Why is it all or nothing?” He proposed a prisoner swap with nations like Hamas, Iran, or China, suggesting he could “freeze to death in Siberia” to save court costs. This isn’t a defense; it’s a geopolitical fantasy.
Routh even suggested Cannon could “trade me away” for an “easy diplomatic victory” for Trump. He seems to think he’s a bargaining chip for global negotiations. Prosecutors quickly debunked his claims, noting he’s mistaken about the government’s evidence against him.
“An easy diplomatic victory for Trump,” Routh wrote, as if he were some international pawn. The idea that he could be swapped for a Ukrainian soldier or a businessman like Jimmy Lai is as absurd as it sounds. His letter reads like a script for a bad spy novel.
Prosecutors are adamant that Routh’s antics won’t derail the trial, emphasizing their “responsibility to ensure that trial does not become a circus.” They argue his evidence is “most likely to upend this trial” with irrelevant facts. Keeping the focus on the charges is their goal, and they’re not budging.
Routh’s claim that the government hasn’t identified specific evidence is flat-out wrong, per the Department of Justice. They’re ready to counter his self-published ramblings and hearsay with hard facts. This isn’t a book club; it’s a courtroom.
The public is left wondering what classified documents Routh was after and why they’re so sensitive. Judge Cannon’s ruling ensures those questions stay unanswered, prioritizing national security over Routh’s legal gambits. For now, the nation’s secrets remain safe, and Routh’s fate rests in the hands of a no-nonsense judge.
