Overview

• Ryan Routh, 59, pleaded not guilty to five federal charges and faces a potential life sentence after prosecutors say he planned for weeks to kill the president at a West Palm Beach golf course.
• U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon halted Routh’s opening after he veered off topic, including telling jurors, “This case means absolutely nothing,” before she sent the panel out.
• Secret Service agent Robert Fercano testified he saw a rifle muzzle near the sixth hole, fired in response, and displayed an SKS-style rifle in court as jurors heard radio audio from the encounter.
• Prosecutors outlined evidence they say shows intent, including cellphone data, security footage, a handwritten note about killing Trump, extensive travel, burner phones, stolen plates, and repeated visits to the course.
• Routh is representing himself with standby counsel; prosecutors indicated their case may move faster than expected, with additional law-enforcement witnesses scheduled to testify Friday as the trial unfolds during heightened concern over political violence after Charlie Kirk’s killing.