FORT PIERCE, Fla. (TNND) — The man charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at his Florida golf course last year will appear in court on Thursday to make his case for why he wants to represent himself and fire his court-appointed lawyer.

Ryan Wesley Routh, 59, wrote in a message to Judge Aileen Cannon of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida that he and his attorneys, who are federal public defenders, are “a million miles apart.”

“I will be representing myself moving forward; it was ridiculous from the outset to consider a random stranger that knows nothing of who I am to speak for me,” Routh said. “That was foolish and ignorant, and I am sorry-a childish mistake.”

He is accused of lying in wait for 12 hours on the perimeter of Trump International Golf Club on Sept.15 before a U.S. Secret Service agent spotted a rifle poking through the fence. Routh allegedly aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot.

A witness who reported seeing Routh run from the scene helped law enforcement identify him, according to prosecutors.

Routh is set to stand trial in September and has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of attempted assassination, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations. He also pleaded not guilty to state charges of terrorism and attempted murder.

On Wednesday, the federal public defender's office filed a motion for termination of appointment of counsel, claiming that “the attorney-client relationship is irreconcilably broken.” Attorneys said Routh refused to meet with them for a scheduled in-person meeting Tuesday morning at the federal detention center in Miami. They said Routh has refused six attempts to meet with their team.

“It is clear that Mr. Routh wishes to represent himself, and he is within his Constitutional rights to make such a demand,” the motion said.

The U.S. Supreme Court has held that criminal defendants have a right to represent themselves in court proceedings, as long as they can show a judge they are competent to waive their right to be defended by an attorney.

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Editor's note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.