Attempted presidential assassin Ryan Routh dared President Donald Trump to punch him in a court motion.
In a motion from Routh unsealed Tuesday, the defendant made an unusual request in a trial beset by theatrics — Trump’s would-be assassin invited the president to assault him physically in court.
If Trump “wished to pummel the defendant just for good measure, put on the handcuffs and shackles and give it your worst,” Routh wrote. “No cameras, no complaints, no [charges]. Just good fun.”
“Don’t be a p****. (Can I say p**** or coward-sorry),” Routh added.
Routh also said Trump could ask him any questions he wanted, while attempting to subpoena several witnesses unrelated to the case.
Routh elaborated on his wish to see Trump in court in an unsealed subpoena request, dated Aug. 20.
“Defendants open invitation speak your mind to the jury to vent any anger and displeasure with the defendant and perhaps if you wish, he will allow you even to punch him in the face, as many times as you want; no charges-we know someone at DOJ. Most fun in decades, don’t miss it,” he wrote.
Routh’s request for Trump to punch him in the face in court wasn’t the only unusual request. He also attempted to subpoena Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, asking him to “testify to the gross violation to our Freedom of Speech and erosion of democracy to authoritarianism.”
He used Khalil’s proposed subpoena to suggest a conspiracy by Trump to turn himself into a dictator for life.
“Tell us how the war against migrants is to enact the insurrection act for martial law to end all federal voting; for [a] permanent president,” Routh wrote.
Among the other unusual witness requests was Professor Jason Stanley, a well-known critic of Trump.
RYAN ROUTH TRIED TO STAB HIMSELF AFTER BEING FOUND GUILTY FOR ATTEMPTING TO ASSASSINATE TRUMP
“With your expertise on Fascism we need your knowledge on the 14th Amendment/Sec. 3 – Disqualification to Hold Office; is prevention prior and remedy after? Also Amendment 2 for a well regulated militia, we wonder what it will take to remove a fascist dictator with National Guard and military already in DC how will America remove the President from the White House in 2029 – is there a chapter in one of your books and how many lives will be lost,” Routh wrote.
Routh was found guilty in federal court on all five counts: attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, possessing a firearm to carry out a violent crime, assaulting a federal officer, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. After learning of his sentence on Sept. 23, he immediately tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen. Court marshals tackled him and dragged him out of the court in handcuffs.