CNN —
The man who allegedly held a rifle behind a chain-link fence adjacent to President Donald Trump’s Florida golf course, waiting for a clear shot at the former president, is asking the judge overseeing the case to resign.
Judge Eileen Cannon, who presided over Trump’s classified documents case and ultimately decided to dismiss it, was randomly assigned to take charge of the case against Ryan Wesley Routh last month.
Lawyers for Routh said in a court filing Thursday that because of this and the possibility that President Trump could nominate Cannon to a higher court if he wins the presidential election, the judge should recuse himself from the case. He insisted that it should be withdrawn.
Earlier this year, Cannon ruled that Special Counsel Jack Smith was not legally appointed to the role overseeing the classified documents case. Mr. Smith is appealing that decision.
Mr. Routh’s lawyers have repeatedly praised Mr. Cannon by name after Mr. Trump’s decision to dismiss the case against him, including during the Republican National Convention, noting that Mr. “The person who is alleged to have been involved in this case has a significant involvement in the outcome of this lawsuit,” the statement said. ”
“If he were to become president in the future, he would have the power to nominate you to serve as a federal judge on the high court where a vacancy occurs,” the defense said.
It added: “These unprecedented facts and circumstances, taken together, may create a bigoted impression in the public’s mind. Therefore, the Constitution and federal recusal laws provide a strong incentive for His Highness to recuse himself from this lawsuit.” I am requesting it.”
The former president was playing golf at his club in Florida on September 15 when Secret Service agents spotted the suspect in the bushes surrounding the club and opened fire, prompting him to flee. Routh was later arrested and subsequently charged. It was the second attempt on Trump’s life in two months.
Routh is charged with five crimes, including attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate. He pleaded not guilty to all charges late last month.
The trial will be held in federal court in Fort Pierce, Florida, the same court where Mr. Trump’s lawyers argued before Mr. Cannon.
This story has been updated with additional details.
CNN’s Piper Hudspeth Blackburn contributed to this report.
