SUMMARY
Today, Florida filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for obstructing its investigation into an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at his golf course in West Palm Beach. The suit, initiated by Attorney General Ashley Moody, challenges U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland in federal court. The complaint centers on alleged would-be assassin Ryan Routh, 58, who was charged with attempted assassination on September 15, 2024, after allegedly aiming a rifle at Trump while he was golfing. Following Governor Ron DeSantis’s executive order on September 17, allowing state law enforcement to investigate, the DOJ asserted its jurisdiction, claiming federal law (18 U.S.C. § 351(f)) precludes state involvement. Moody contends this violates the Tenth Amendment and impedes Florida’s ability to investigate and prosecute, arguing that evidence may fade if the state is forced to wait for federal proceedings to conclude.
