A judge cut off the man accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump, accusing him of “making a mockery of the court” as his trial began on Thursday.

Defendant Ryan Wesley Routh, who is representing himself in the federal case, began crying as he addressed the jury in a rambling speech, forcing the judge to order him out of the courtroom.

In his opening statement, Routh began by asking “what happened to homo erectus” as he launched into a speech about Russia’s president Vladimir Putin, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, and Adolf Hitler.

“Putin has murdered 1.5 million and we do nothing,” Routh said.

After five minutes, Federal District Judge Aileen Cannon reminded Routh to stay within the bounds, to which he responded that his argument centres on “non-violence” and the Constitution.

Judge Cannon then admonished Routh as he became increasingly emotional, saying that the statement was “a clear violation of the court’s order” and so “he relinquished his right to conclude”.

“Alright, I apologise,” Routh responded.

Routh faces five charges, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm with a removed serial number.

He is accused of hiding with a rifle at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, aiming towards where the US president would play golf on Sept 15 2024.