Florida’s Attorney General has filed a legal complaint to prevent the Justice Department from blocking the state’s investigation into Ryan Routh, the man charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump.
The complaint, submitted in federal court on Wednesday, accuses Attorney General Merrick Garland of trying to obstruct Florida’s efforts to pursue state charges related to the Sept. 15 incident at Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, about 20 miles from Mar-a-Lago.
The case stems from an executive order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who directed Moody on Sept. 17 to launch a state investigation into Routh. DeSantis’ order sought to pursue state charges against Routh beyond the federal investigation already underway.
Moody’s 18-page complaint alleges that the FBI, in a letter, insisted Florida halt its investigation, citing a federal law that gives precedence to federal authorities in prosecuting crimes against prominent public figures. However, Moody noted that when the state began its investigation, Routh was only charged with illegal gun possession at the federal level, not attempted assassination. The assassination charge came a week later.
“In conversations with federal officials and in subsequent correspondence, these officials have stated that Florida may not conduct its own investigation, may not interview witnesses, and may only cooperate with the federal government’s investigation,” Moody wrote in her filing.
After federal prosecutors filed the attempted assassination charge, U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe sent another letter to Moody, asking the state to pause its investigation until the federal case concluded. Moody argues this infringes on Florida’s rights under the 10th Amendment, which prohibits the federal government from undermining state authority. She is requesting a federal judge to declare the DOJ’s actions unconstitutional.
Moody expressed concern about delays, stating, “evidence disappears, memories fade, and [Florida] has no way to force the federal government to cooperate in the state’s prosecution.” She listed potential state charges against Routh, including attempted murder, unlawful gun possession, and fleeing law enforcement.
The complaint also criticizes federal agencies for lapses, noting Routh had been in the area for about 12 hours before the incident and highlighting a previous assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, earlier this year.
Moody and DeSantis have raised doubts about the FBI’s commitment to fully investigating the assassination attempt, citing the bureau’s involvement in cases that resulted in felony charges against Trump.
