Judge Recusal Sought in High-Profile Assassination Attempt Case

A man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump is seeking the recusal of the judge overseeing his case, citing potential bias.

At a Glance

Ryan Routh’s lawyers request Judge Aileen Cannon’s recusal due to her appointment by Trump and past rulings.
Defense argues circumstances create doubts about Cannon’s impartiality.
Routh pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted assassination.
Federal prosecutors have not yet stated their position on the recusal request.
Case raises questions about judicial impartiality in high-profile political cases.

Defendant Seeks Judge’s Recusal

Lawyers for Ryan Routh, the man charged with attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, have filed a motion requesting U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to recuse herself from the case. The defense cites Trump’s past praise for Cannon’s rulings, her appointment by the former president, and public suspicion about her assignment to another Trump-related case as grounds for the recusal.

Routh’s public defenders, Kristy Militello and Renee Sihvola, argue that the unique circumstances of this case raise significant doubts about the court’s ability to maintain the appearance of impartiality. They emphasize the importance of resolving any such doubts in favor of recusal.

Man accused in Trump assassination attempt asks Judge Aileen Cannon to recuse herself from his case
https://t.co/acuFx1FvtT

— WPTV (@WPTV) October 18, 2024

Unprecedented Case Circumstances

The case presents an unusual situation where a judge appointed by a former president is presiding over a trial in which that same president is the alleged victim. This unprecedented scenario has led to concerns about the potential for bias or the appearance thereof.

“The unprecedented facts and circumstances of this case, at the very least, create significant doubts about whether this court could preside consistent with the requisite appearance of impartiality. And ‘any doubts must be resolved in favor of recusal,'” – Routh’s public defenders Kristy Militello and Renee Sihvola

The defense argues that public perception could be that Trump’s cases are deliberately assigned to Judge Cannon, potentially damaging the court’s integrity. They highlight Trump’s public praise for Cannon and the possibility of her judicial promotion if Trump were to win the presidency again.

Judge Cannon’s History with Trump-Related Cases

Judge Cannon has previously handled cases involving Trump, including a suit over FBI-seized records and a criminal case about classified information, which she dismissed. Her rulings in these cases have been controversial, with some decisions being overturned or appealed.

The dismissal of Trump’s indictment by Cannon is currently under appeal in the 11th Circuit, with special prosecutor Jack Smith arguing against her decision. These past rulings and their subsequent challenges have intensified the scrutiny on Cannon’s role in Trump-related cases.

Case Details and Next Steps

Routh was arrested after allegedly being spotted with a rifle near Trump on a golf course. He has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted assassination and firearm possession as a felon, and is currently held without bond. Federal prosecutors are seeking an indefinite trial delay due to the complexity of the case.

As of now, federal prosecutors have not stated their position on the recusal request. The court’s decision on this motion will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for how similar high-profile cases involving political figures are handled in the future.