Ryan Routh begins self-defense in attempted Trump assassination trial

Ryan Routh, who is defending himself, was reprimanded by the judge for "making a mockery" of the court.

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Introductory statements are typically used to preview evidence and arguments for the rest of trial. But Mr Routh's were dedicated to his philosophical musings on intent, the history of human evolution, the "need to be kind to one another" and beauty found in "hearthstones worn smooth" by generations of children.

He invoked Adolf Hitler and Vladimir Putin, and declared: "Modern trials seem to eliminate all that is human."

US District Judge Aileen Cannon interrupted Mr Routh three times to remind him of proper procedure and reprimand him for "making a mockery of this court". At one point, the Trump appointee excused the jury while she chastised him, before finally suspending his remarks entirely.

His truncated opening statements and frequent rebukes from the judge set the stage for an unusual - and at times uncomfortable - first day of the trial, during which the government questioned five witnesses and Mr Routh struggled to mount a coherent defence.