Ryan Routh pleads not guilty to charges he sought to assassinate Trump at golf course

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The man accused of plotting to kill Donald Trump at the former president's Florida golf course this month pleaded not guilty to all charges Monday.

Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, wore a beige inmate’s outfit with a dark brown undershirt during his brief appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce E. Reinhart.

Routh sported black, thick-rimmed glasses and was clean shaven, in stark contrast with the white beard he had at his earlier detention hearing.

Routh, shackled at his wrists, waist and ankles, was escorted into court by a U.S. marshal wearing a suit and black gloves.

Routh appeared to gesture to reporters and audience members, pantomiming scribbling on a notepad and then pointing to himself.

When the counts were read to him, Reinhart asked Routh whether he understood, and he responded, “Yes, your honor.”

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Defense attorneys waived an official reading of charges, entered a not guilty plea and officially requested a jury trial in a hearing that lasted less than five minutes.

Federal prosecutors allege in a five-count indictment that Routh “did intentionally attempt to kill Former President of the United States Donald J. Trump, a major Presidential candidate,” on Sept. 15.

A Secret Service agent spotted Routh with a gun outside Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach and opened fire on him before Routh had Trump in his sights. Routh was arrested as he tried to drive away from the scene.

In addition to attempted assassination, Routh was also charged with assaulting a federal officer and three other weapons violations. He could spend the rest of his life behind bars if he is convicted on all counts.

It was the second possible attempt on Trump's life in a little more than nine weeks.

Trump was grazed in the ear on July 13 by a bullet fired by Thomas Crooks, who was then shot and killed by law enforcement.

Alexandra Bacallao and Jesse Kirsch reported from West Palm Beach and David K. Li from New York City.