Ryan Routh, the individual convicted of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, has extended an unusual invitation to the President amidst his court proceedings. A motion unsealed on Tuesday revealed that Routh has asked for Trump to be allowed to punch him "as many times as you want" during his sentencing hearing, implying it would be without legal repercussions or media coverage.
The defendant's motion contained a provocative challenge to President Trump's bravery, using crude language to dare the President to engage in the act. Furthermore, Routh's filing expressed a desire for Trump to question him directly in court.
In a striking section of the motion, Routh extended an "open invitation" for President Trump to express any anger towards him before the jury, even suggesting that Trump might be allowed to assault him as part of this expression. This invitation was coupled with inflammatory remarks and the implication of connections within the Department of Justice that would prevent any charges for such actions.
Additionally, Routh's motion sought to subpoena Mahmoud Khalil, a student at risk of deportation under Trump's administration policies, to testify on alleged attacks on free speech and democratic principles. In his motion, Routh accused Trump of harboring aspirations to become a "permanent president," with references to the use of martial law and other authoritarian measures.
The court documents also highlighted a previous incident following Routh's guilty verdict in September 2024, where he displayed violent behavior in the courtroom, leading to his restraint after a self-inflicted stabbing attempt. Post-conviction, Routh penned a letter seeking a transfer to a state that permits assisted suicide or alternatively, proposed an exchange to an adversarial country, such as Iran, where he suggested he could be executed in lieu of an Iranian human rights activist.
President Trump, following Routh's conviction, expressed gratitude for the judicial process, stating, "I'm very appreciative of the justice that was given... Justice was served... I very much appreciate the judge & jury."
This case continues to draw attention not just for the severity of the crime, but also for the bizarre and unsettling behavior and requests made by Routh throughout the legal process.
