In a move that could further complicate the already high-profile case, Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, has requested the recusal of U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon. Routh’s legal team argues that Cannon’s potential for bias is significant, given Trump’s frequent public praise for her and the possibility of her nomination for a higher federal judgeship if he were to be re-elected.
The request for recusal was submitted on Thursday, citing “unprecedented circumstances” surrounding the case. Routh’s attorneys point to Trump’s vocal support for Cannon’s decisions in his own legal battle regarding allegedly retaining classified documents. They argue that Trump’s repeated praise for Cannon creates the perception that she is partial to him, which they believe constitutes a conflict of interest.
“By repeatedly and publicly praising this Court by name for its rulings in his case, Mr. Trump has arguably bolstered the perception that the Court is partial in his favor,” wrote Routh’s attorneys. This request for recusal comes at a crucial time. Cannon is currently overseeing both Routh’s criminal prosecution and the criminal prosecution of Trump by special counsel Jack Smith. In July, Cannon dismissed Trump’s charges regarding the classified documents, a decision that Smith is now appealing.
Federal prosecutors are currently reviewing the request for Cannon’s recusal. Routh faces five criminal charges, including the attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment.
This incident highlights the heightened security concerns surrounding Trump in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. It marks the second attempted assassination of the former president in recent months. In July, a shooter at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, was killed, and one attendee died. Trump was escorted offstage by Secret Service agents while bleeding from his ear. Just this month, another man was arrested with loaded firearms near a rally site for Trump in California, potentially preventing a third assassination attempt. The continued threats against Trump underscore the seriousness of his security detail and the need for vigilance during this politically charged time.