Jury selection is scheduled to begin this week in the high-profile case of a man accused of attempting to assassinate former U.S. President Donald Trump during a round of golf in Florida last year.
The defendant, 44-year-old Matthew James Reynolds, faces multiple federal charges, including attempted assassination of a former president and unlawful possession of a firearm. Prosecutors allege Reynolds brought a rifle onto the grounds of Trump National Golf Club and positioned himself with intent to fire before Secret Service agents intervened. No shots were discharged, and Trump was unharmed.
Court documents state that Reynolds had conducted online searches about Trump’s golf schedule and the security layout of the club in the weeks leading up to the alleged incident. Prosecutors are expected to argue that the evidence demonstrates premeditation.
Reynolds has pleaded not guilty. His defense team claims he suffers from longstanding mental health issues and had no genuine intent to harm Trump. “This was a troubled individual in crisis, not a calculated assassin,” his attorney said in a filing.
The trial is expected to attract intense media scrutiny, given the political sensitivity of the case and Trump’s ongoing prominence as a central figure in American politics. Security around the courthouse in West Palm Beach has already been heightened, with additional federal marshals deployed.
Legal experts note that jury selection will be particularly challenging due to Trump’s polarizing status. “Finding jurors who can set aside personal views about Donald Trump and focus strictly on the evidence is going to be a major hurdle,” said law professor Alan Chen of the University of Denver.
If convicted, Reynolds could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. The proceedings are expected to last several weeks, with opening statements anticipated once a jury is seated.
Trump has not commented publicly on the upcoming trial, but his campaign has previously described the incident as “a sobering reminder of the threats faced by public figures.
