Judge Aileen Cannon Stays in Trump Assassination Case Decision
- Ryan Wesley Routh was charged with attempting to assassinate Trump and other firearm-related offenses after being arrested on September 15.
- Routh's defense claimed Judge Aileen Cannon's previous rulings favored Trump and that her appointment by him created an appearance of bias.
- Cannon determined there was no substantial basis for recusal, indicating that public statements about a judge do not warrant their withdrawal from a case.
In Florida, a federal judge appointed by former President Donald Trump, Aileen Cannon, has declined a request for recusal concerning a criminal case involving Ryan Wesley Routh, who is accused of attempting to assassinate Trump. Routh was arrested after an incident at the Trump International Golf Club on September 15, where he fired shots without directly targeting Trump. His legal team argued that Cannon’s previous rulings benefitted Trump and her close ties to the former president raised concerns regarding impartiality. Despite these claims, Cannon asserted there was no valid reason to step down from the case, emphasizing that judges are not obliged to recuse themselves due to public statements made by involved parties regarding their conduct. The decision has sparked discussions about judicial integrity amid high-profile political cases, particularly during an election year when Trump is campaigning for another presidential term.