Aileen Cannon Wastes No Time With Trial of Trump's Would-be Assassin

Judge Aileen Cannon Sets Expedited Trial Date for Trump Assassination Attempt Case

Judge Aileen Cannon has established a swift trial schedule for the man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump. 

On Tuesday, Cannon scheduled the trial to commence on November 18 in Fort Pierce, Florida. As a federal judge appointed by Trump, she has previously faced criticism from prosecutor Jack Smith regarding the slow progress of the former president's classified documents case. Ultimately, she dismissed all charges against Trump, determining that Smith's appointment was improper.

Trump was facing 40 federal charges in Cannon's court related to his alleged mishandling of sensitive materials taken from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, after leaving office in January 2021. He was also accused of obstructing federal efforts to retrieve these materials.

The Republican presidential nominee has pleaded not guilty and has consistently claimed that the case is part of a politically motivated witch hunt. 

The Department of Justice has charged 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh with possession of a firearm as a former felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Routh allegedly attempted to shoot the former president at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

While Routh did not fire any shots on September 15, a Secret Service agent spotted a rifle protruding from a nearby fence and opened fire. Routh was subsequently arrested after police intercepted his vehicle.

Routh faces a potential maximum sentence of life in prison, and additional charges are likely forthcoming. He pleaded guilty to all charges on Monday. Newsweek has reached out to his attorney for comment.

A Calendar Call is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, to ensure both parties are prepared for trial. According to Cannon's ruling, "Any testing of electronic equipment to be used at trial must take place at the Calendar Call. The parties are directed to bring any equipment intended for trial use." Additionally, all motions must be submitted by Friday, October 18.

In contrast, Cannon has frequently been criticized for the slow pace of Trump's classified documents case, which she eventually dismissed. In April, Smith expressed his frustration over the delays, stating that Trump's legal team was intentionally trying to stall the proceedings.

Former prosecutor Neama Rahmani noted that while Smith was showing "increasing frustration" with the classified documents case, he would likely face challenges in removing Cannon.

In her dismissal of the charges on July 15, Cannon asserted that there was no constitutional basis for appointing Smith, a "private citizen," as a Department of Justice prosecutor overseeing all of Trump's federal indictments. Smith is currently appealing that decision in a federal appellate court in Florida.