Man accused of attempted assassination of Donald Trump pleads not guilty

The man charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump after allegedly positioning himself with a rifle outside one of the former president's Florida golf courses on September 15 pleaded not guilty on Monday to five federal charges.

Ryan Routh, 58, entered the plea to charges that include attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate during a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart. Routh has already been ordered to remain in jail pending trial.

Routh appeared for the hearing handcuffed and wearing a tan prison jumpsuit. He answered, "Yes, your honour," when asked by Reinhart if he understood the charges against him. Routh's defence lawyer then entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.