On Wednesday, Florida took legal action against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) over restrictions placed on the state’s investigation into an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
The lawsuit, spearheaded by Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody, addresses a directive from the DOJ requesting Florida to halt its investigation until federal inquiries were complete.
On September 15, 58-year-old Ryan Routh was arrested after being discovered with a firearm at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, where Trump was golfing at the time.
While Routh did not discharge the weapon, a Secret Service agent noticed a rifle sticking out by a fence and responded with gunfire. Police later apprehended Routh after stopping his vehicle.
In addition to the attempted assassination charge, Routh faces several counts including possessing a firearm during a violent crime and assaulting a federal officer. He had also been charged prior for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and for having a gun with an altered serial number.
Routh entered a not guilty plea to all federal charges on September 30.
Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Following the incident, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced plans for the state to press charges against Routh and initiated an investigation just two days later.
Moody’s lawsuit emphasizes that state officials were advised not to question witnesses, limiting their involvement to cooperation with federal authorities. The lawsuit references a federal law which asserts that the FBI handles attempts on the lives of political candidates, effectively suspending state jurisdiction.
The DOJ has refrained from commenting on the matter, according to the Associated Press.
The lawsuit articulates Florida’s intent to safeguard its authority to pursue investigations surrounding state law infringements, arguing that any delay could hinder successful prosecution. “With each passing day, the state’s case becomes more difficult to prove at trial,” the suit claims, adding that the federal government would suffer no detriment from Florida’s independent investigation of state crimes.
This incident follows a troubling episode from July 13, when Trump was grazed by a bullet at a Pennsylvania rally, with the assailant being neutralized by a Secret Service sniper.
This report includes information from The Associated Press.