Cannon refuses recusal from Trump assassination attempt suspect's case

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon on Tuesday refused to recuse herself from overseeing the case of the suspect accused of attempting to assassinate former President Trump at his golf course.

Ryan Routh, the suspect, cited how Trump has praised Cannon for dismissing his classified documents indictment, saying it created an appearance of bias. Federal prosecutors opposed Routh’s recusal attempt.

“As Defendant acknowledges, I have no control over what private citizens, members of the media, or public officials or candidates elect to say about me or my judicial rulings,” Cannon wrote in her decision.

“Nor am I concerned about the political consequences of my rulings or how those rulings might be viewed by ‘some in the media,’” she added.

Routh faces five federal charges, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, for allegedly staking out the perimeter of Trump’s West Palm Beach, Fla., golf course last month with a rifle while the former president was on the course. Routh, who faces up to life in prison, pleaded not guilty.

Cannon was randomly assigned to oversee both Routh’s case and Trump’s indictment accusing him of mishandling classified documents after leaving office and obstructing the government’s efforts to retrieve them.

In July, Cannon tossed Trump’s charges by finding the special counsel leading the prosecution was unconstitutionally appointed, causing the former president to heap public praise upon the judge. ABC News has also reported that Cannon is among Trump’s list of attorney general candidates in a potential second White House term.

Beyond the judge’s handling of Trump’s prosecution, Routh’s motion also cited how Cannon went to high school with one of the prosecutors assigned to his case and attended his wedding.

Cannon confirmed she did attend the wedding nine years ago but insisted it presented no grounds for recusal.

“I maintain no ongoing personal relationship with the prosecutor, nor have I communicated with him in years,” she wrote. “In short, my personal friendship years ago with the prosecutor has no bearing or influence whatsoever on my impartial handling of this case or any other case in which he may appear as counsel of record.”

Updated at 1:15 p.m.