Florida has filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Merrick Garland, alleging that the Justice Department is impeding the state’s investigation into the second assassination attempt on former President Trump.
Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has taken decisive action by issuing an executive order, instructing Florida agencies to ensure that Ryan Routh faces appropriate state charges.
Routh was recently indicted on five counts by federal authorities, following an alarming incident where he allegedly arrived at Trump’s golf course with the intention to harm the former President.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s (R) office alleges in the complaint that officials from the FBI and Justice Department made immediate efforts to impede the state’s investigation.
The lawsuit claims that federal officials have stated that Florida cannot conduct its own investigation, interview witnesses, and can only cooperate with the federal government’s investigation.
According to court documents, officials have invoked a statute that allows federal authorities to “suspend the exercise of jurisdiction by a State” in cases involving the attempted assassination of a major party candidate.
The lawsuit argues that although this provision has not been interpreted by any court, it should be understood in a more limited way than what the Department of Justice claims.
According to the lawsuit, the statute in question still allows Florida to conduct an investigation, and the court’s decision to block it is also seen as a violation of the 10th Amendment, which reserves specific powers for states.
The Justice Department has chosen not to provide any comments on the matter.
According to the new lawsuit, Routh may face state charges in Florida, including attempted murder, fleeing and eluding, and illegal possession of a firearm.
The State also has the option to press charges against Mr. Routh for the injuries he caused while attempting to evade law enforcement after the assassination attempt.
Routh’s arrest came shortly after a Secret Service agent noticed him skulking around the outskirts of Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course, armed with a firearm, while the former president was in the midst of a round of golf.
In recent months, there has been a second attempt on Trump’s life, following an incident where a gunman shot the former president’s ear while he was speaking at a July rally in Butler, Pa.