Ryan Routh will be his own lawyer

Suspected Trump Assassin Gains Courtroom Spotlight: Unbelievable Decision!

A federal judge just ruled that Ryan Routh, the man accused of plotting to assassinate President Donald Trump at his Florida golf course, can represent himself at trial.

That’s right—an alleged would-be assassin is being granted the right to play lawyer in a case involving one of the most serious threats to a former president and current presidential candidate in modern history. If you’re not already shaking your head, you should be.

Routh, a 59-year-old from Hawaii, is set to go on trial this September 8th in Florida. Prosecutors say he planned to kill Trump while he was still a presidential candidate in 2024, before the American people overwhelmingly elected him again in a stunning repudiation of the radical left.

And now, just months into Trump’s second term, the judicial system is letting his alleged attempted murderer take the stand as his own attorney but the Judge said court-appointed attorneys need to remain as standby counsel.

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Ryan Wesley Routh faces 5 Federal Charges - Hearing on the Gun

Ryan Routh: Suspect in assassination attempt of Trump can hire expert to check rifle's operability

For all of us out who are wondering what's going on with Ryan Wesley Routh who wanted to assassinate our President--

A suspect accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump last September in Palm Beach County can hire an expert to examine the rifle recovered from the scene, but only to determine its operability, a federal judge said Tuesday.

Ryan Wesley Routh's attorneys had asked that their expert be allowed to inspect, photograph and test the rifle in order to evaluate a government expert's findings, as well as test it for other information that they thought was relevant.

In Tuesday's order, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon limited the testing to just its operability, with a May 15 deadline. Routh's trial is scheduled for September.

Prosecutors say Routh methodically plotted to kill Trump for weeks before aiming a rifle through the shrubbery as Trump played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his country club near West Palm Beach.

Routh faces five federal charges. The hearing will focus on the semi-automatic, SKS-style rifle authorities say Routh planned to use in the assassination attempt. Law enforcement authorities found the rifle in what they described as a “sniper’s nest” near the fence just outside of Trump’s golf club. Routh has pleaded not guilty. [Fox 29]

"Prosecutors say there’s no question that the gun worked. An FBI weapons expert test-fired the rifle when it was seized and processed as evidence. But they say the question of how well it worked is not relevant.

More importantly, they say, is Routh’s alleged intent to attempt to kill then-Presidential candidate Donald Trump. If there was poor planning, problems with the gun, or other things that prevented the attack from happening, they say those details can’t be used as a defense."

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Democrats botched the Constitution

Fox News owes Donald Trump a major apology after this judge’s ruling

Mark Levin, my absolute favorite on Fox News, calls out network’s coverage of Mar-a-Lago documents case

Judge Aileen Cannon threw out Jack Smith’s indictment against Donald Trump for mishandling classified documents and obstructing justice.

Cannon ruled that Garland unlawfully appointed Smith in violation of the appointments clause of the United States Constitution.

Prior to Garland naming Smith as Special Counsel, Smith didn’t hold an office where Biden nominated him, and the Senate confirmed him.

Nor did Congress pass a statute creating the office of Special Counsel.

Smith will not appeal to the 11th Circuit.

“That case in Florida, you might recall, we even had people on this own network telling us it was a slam dunk case, we had Bill Barr saying it was a slam dunk case. I don’t know where these people practiced law,” Levin began.

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Prosecutors Targeting Trump Get Slammed by Judge

Humiliated Prosecutors, Forced to Apologize to Judge in Trump Case

"After months of relentless attacks from the special counsel Jack Smith, former President Donald Trump has once again emerged victorious in court.

His legal team has successfully challenged the prosecutor’s attempt to impose limits on his speech, prompting a federal judge to slam the prosecutors for their biased and rude behavior.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon stood her ground during a tense exchange with prosecutor David Harbach, who was accused of being snippy and unprofessional towards Trump’s defense team. Harbach later apologized to the judge, but the damage had already been done.

Judge Cannon made it clear that she will not tolerate any lack of decorum in her courtroom. She demanded that the prosecutors provide evidence linking Trump’s statements to any incitement of violence. This is in line with the law that requires a factual connection between the defendant’s speech and the alleged harm.

Judge Cannon’s decision to question the prosecution’s vague allegations proves that she is committed to upholding the principles of justice and the First Amendment rights of every American, including Trump."

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Win for Trump

Federal judge Aileen Cannon dismisses Trump classified documents case over concerns with prosecutor's appointment

The federal judge presiding over the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump in Florida dismissed the prosecution on Monday, siding with defense lawyers who said the special counsel who filed the charges was illegally appointed by the Justice Department.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, which can be appealed and may be overruled by a higher court, brings at least for now a stunning and abrupt conclusion to a criminal case that at the time it was filed was widely regarded as the most perilous of all the legal threats the Republican former president confronted.

Though the case had long been stalled, and the prospect of a trial before the November election already was an unrealistic scenario, the judge's order is a mammoth legal victory for Trump as he recovers from a weekend assassination attempt and prepares to accept the Republican nomination in Milwaukee this week.

Read about the good news

America First Legal (AFL) released the following statement applauding Judge Cannon’s dismissal of President Trump’s classified documents case.

Statement from Gene Hamilton, America First Legal Executive Director:

“We applaud Judge Cannon’s dismissal of this politically-driven case against President Trump. The weaponization of our justice system must end so that the American people can begin to regain their faith in the rule of law. The other federal prosecution in Washington, DC, should end for the same reason, and the interests of justice and national unity require the cases in Georgia and New York to be dismissed at this time.”

Politics should play no role in investigative decisions

Judge Aileen Cannon granted a temporary delay in Trump’s classified documents trial

to consider the ramifications of the Supreme Court’s sweeping immunity ruling earlier this week

Cannon agreed to the former president’s legal team’s request Saturday afternoon, imposing a two-week delay for three pending deadlines in the case.

Trump’s team made the request Friday, arguing that the Supreme Court’s immunity decision had to be considered and they should be allowed to argue the merits before the trial moves forward.

Cannon imposed a July 18 deadline for special counsel Jack Smith’s team to respond to the motion to stay and a July 21 deadline for any other reply.

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Jack Smith Witch Hunts on Hold

Donald Trump hit Jack Smith with a nasty surprise that could end his trial

"Special Counsel Jack Smith’s two witch hunts against Donald Trump are currently on hold.

One could be on the verge of complete implosion.

And Donald Trump hit Jack Smith with a nasty surprise that could end his trial. Hearing could determine fate of Jack Smith’s case.

Judge Aileen Cannon scheduled a hearing to determine whether Attorney General Merrick Garland unconstitutionally appointed private citizen Jack Smith as special counsel.

If Judge Cannon rules in the affirmative, Smith’s charges against Trump in the Mar-a-Lago documents case may get tossed.

The Landmark Legal Foundation filed an amicus brief, which argued that “Special Counsel Smith does not hold an ‘office’ and he is not an ‘Officer of the United States.'

This brief argues that because Smith is an employee of the Justice Department, a separate funding scheme separate from the money set aside for the Department of Justice is unconstitutional."

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The integrity of our judicial process demands full transparency

Judge Cannon Grills Jack Smith’s Prosecutor Over Funding For Special Counsel

In a striking courtroom exchange that underscores the delicate balance of power between the judiciary and executive branches, Judge Aileen Cannon confronted the prosecution team led by Special Counsel Jack Smith regarding the funding mechanisms of the Special Counsel’s office.

This rigorous scrutiny emerged as part of ongoing proceedings in the high-profile case against former President Donald Trump, involving classified documents.

The special counsel has not released a financial report since September 2023 which is a violation of the 6-month reporting requirement, investigative reporter Julie Kelly said.

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"Just Calm Down" Judge Cannon tells Prosecutor

Smith Prosecutors Reprimanded by Judge in Classified Documents Case

Judge Aileen Cannon finally appears to have had enough of Special Prosecutor Jack Smith and his team.

Cannon went off on them this week when prosecutor David Harbach was clearly getting frustrated during a motion hearing.

Cannon told him to “calm down,” clearly upset with the tone that was being presented.

Prosecutor David Harbach was being asked about an August 2022 meeting with defense attorney Stanley Woodward, who is representing Walt Nauta, a Trump aide who works at Mar-a-Lago.

With Harbach clearly becoming frustrated with the line of questioning, Judge Cannon told him, “I’m going to have to ask that you calm down.”

One courtroom reporter characterized the exchange as “glorious.”

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Quite a difference between Judge Cannon and Judge Merchan.

FBI authorized use of deadly force at Mar-A-Lago

Unsealed Documents Reveal The FBI Authorized Use of “Deadly Force” During Mar-a-Lago Raid

We just learned more information about the FBI’s raid on Mar-a-Lago, and it’s not good.

Thanks to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon unsealing many documents in the case, we just learned that the FBI authorized the use of Deadly Force during the raid on Mar-a-Lago.

The documents related to the Mar-a-Lago raid in August 2022 were ordered to be unsealed by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon.

Judge Cannon has been presiding over the case involving former President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents and the FBI’s search of his Mar-a-Lago estate.

The decision to unseal these documents is part of the legal proceedings and the public’s interest in the case, balancing the need for transparency with the need to protect ongoing investigations and national security interests.

But that wasn’t all we learned…

Saga of the Judge and the Prosecutor

Smith Files Motion With Judge May Appeal

In a late filing on Tuesday, special counsel Jack Smith criticized the judge presiding over former President Donald Trump’s classified documents case, claiming that her proposed jury instructions contain a “flawed legal premise” that could lead to an appeal.

This development adds a new twist to the ongoing legal battle between Trump and the government, as both sides prepare for a potential trial in July.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, had ordered both the defense and prosecution to submit potential jury instructions based on competing interpretations of two laws relevant to the case.

Her order suggested that Trump may have had a legal right under the Presidential Records Act (PRA) to declare certain records as personal after leaving office, a premise that Smith argues is wrong.

Well of course Jack Smith would say Judge Cannon is wrong. Smith is going after Donald Trump on the Espionage Act which is ludicrous.

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Judge Cannon sets Jack Smith straight

Judge Aileen Cannon Gives Jack Smith ‘Devastating News’

Judge Aileen Cannon delivers a blow to Jack Smith with a momentous decision. In a move that defies expectations, Cannon grants Trump’s request for the revelation of specific discovery documents, contradicting Smith’s insistence on their confidentiality.

This relates to Trump's request to un-redact some information the defense obtained thru discovery productions and FOIA responses. Jack Smith basically opposed unsealing anything.

Following a thorough review, Cannon asserts, “The Special Counsel has not presented sufficient grounds to warrant deviation from the presumption of public access to the records.” Despite Smith’s concerns about witness safety and intimidation, Cannon finds his arguments lacking in substance.

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Jack Smith throwing down the gauntlet

Jack Smith, in Startling Move, Denounces Judge in Documents Case as ‘Wrong’ and a Perpetrator of ‘Manifest Injustice’

It turns out President Trump isn’t the only one who can unleash a tirade against a judge. Could Smith’s next move be a motion for Cannon to recuse herself?

Special Counsel Jack Smith’s strongly worded motion requesting that Judge Aileen Cannon reconsider an order unsealing the names and statements of some witnesses in the Mar-a-Lago documents case against President Trump could be a harbinger of an even more dramatic move to remove her from the case.

Mr. Smith warns that Judge Cannon’s order would “disclose the identities of numerous potential witnesses, along with the substance of the statements they made to the FBI or the grand jury, exposing them to significant and immediate risks of threats, intimidation, and harassment.”

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Some Discovery being withheld from Trump Defense

Judge Denies Jack Smith's Request to Conceal Documents in Trump Classified Materials Case

A federal judge has denied special counsel Jack Smith's request to keep some documents hidden in former President Donald Trump's classified documents case.

Judge Aileen Cannon, who's overseeing the trial in former President Donald Trump's classified documents case, has rejected a motion by special counsel Jack Smith to keep some documents hidden from President Trump's defense.

In an order signed on Dec. 4, Judge Cannon directed a court clerk to unseal multiple documents that Mr. Smith's team sought to keep sealed in the case that accuses the former president of retaining sensitive government materials, including some that were marked top secret, at his Mar-a-Lago home.

President Trump has said he used presidential powers to declassify the materials, insisting that he isn't guilty and calling the case an attempt by his political foes to hamper his 2024 presidential run.

Read Epoch Times

Judge Aileen Cannon put Special Counsel Jack Smith on blast

Jack Smith Ends DC Grand Jury Investigating Trump Classified Docs Case

For months, Special Counsel Jack Smith has been under fire for his handling of the classified documents case against President Trump.

It appears that his time in the spotlight may be coming to a close as he just recently revealed that the grand jury hearing evidence in this case has ended.

This is a huge win for Republicans and President Trump!

Throughout Trump’s classified documents case, Smith used a DC grand jury and radical Marxist Obama-appointed judge Beryl Howell.

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Judge Cannon rebuked prosecutors in Trump's case

Judge Rules On Motions In Trump Doc Case

Donald Trump's classified documents case took a dramatic turn on Monday as the judge overseeing his trial rebuked federal prosecutors and struck down two of their filings.

According to District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee who is handling the case, prosecutors must provide an explanation for “the legal propriety of using an out-of-district grand jury proceeding to continue to investigate and/or to seek post-indictment hearings on matters pertinent to the instant indicted matter in this district.”

The judge’s decision to rebuke the federal prosecutors marks a rare step by a court in striking down documents.

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Judge denies Jack Smith's request to keep list of 84 witnesses under wraps

Judge Lays Smack Down on Jack Smith’s Request

Jack Smith’s motion to keep a list of 84 potential witnesses under seal in the classified documents case was denied by Judge Aileen Cannon.

Smith and the rest of the Deep State had argued that keeping the list of witnesses secret was necessary to protect national security interests, but Judge Cannon disagreed.

In her ruling, she said that while the government had presented compelling arguments for why it needed to keep the list secret, she felt that the public’s right to know outweighed those concerns. Additionally, it was revealed that Jack Smith attempted to prevent communication between Donald Trump, Walt Nauta, and the 84 witnesses.

In a separate order Monday, Cannon set a July 14 hearing date to discuss how classified materials will be handled in the case, as requested by the government.

She also granted the government’s request for the appointment of a classified information security officer to assist each side with the handling of any motions or orders related to the Classified Information Procedures Act.

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