Florida Sues DOJ Over Blocking Its Probe Into Trump Assassination Attempt

Florida on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to stop authorities from blocking the state’s investigation into September’s attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

The compaint was filed by Florida’s Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody against Attorney General Merrick Garland after the DOJ told the state to temporarily pause its probe until a federal investigation was completed.

Ryan Routh, 58, was arrested on September 15 after being found with a firearm at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where the 2024 Republican presidential nominee was playing golf.

While Routh did not fire any shots, a Secret Service agent spotted a rifle sticking out near a fence and opened fire. Routh was later taken into custody after police stopped his car.

Prosecutors have also accused Routh of writing about his plans to assassinate Trump in a handwritten note months before his arrest, and the DOJ charged Routh with attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and assaulting a federal officer. He had previously been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

Routh pleaded not guilty to all federal charges on September 30.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, announced the state would pursue charges against Routh two days after the September 15 incident and launched an investigation.

Moody’s lawsuit says Florida officials were instructed not to interview witnesses and their only role would be in cooperating with the federal investigation. The complaint also notes that DOJ officials pointed to a federal law stating attempted assassinations of political candidates will be investigated by the FBI and state jurisdiction is suspended.

The Justice Department declined to comment to the AP.

“Florida sues to vindicate its sovereign interest to investigate violations of state law, as delay may impact the outcome of any prosecution,” the suit says.

“Every day that Florida is prevented from investigating, the State’s case becomes harder to prove at trial,” the suit also states. “By contrast, the federal government suffers no injury from Florida investigating state law crimes, as the State has no intention of interfering with or obstructing the federal investigation.”

The incident involving Routh came two months after Trump was struck by a bullet that pierced his right ear at an outdoor campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. The 20-year-old shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, who fired rounds off a nearby roof, was killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.