Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) sued the Department of Justice on Wednesday for suspending Florida's investigation into the second assassination attempt against former President Trump.
Why it matters: State investigators want access to witnesses and evidence to potentially leverage additional charges against the alleged gunman, Ryan Wesley Routh.
State of play: Moody sued U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to "vindicate [Florida's] sovereign interest to investigate violations of state law, as delay may impact the outcome of any prosecution," the complaint said.
- The federal government asserted jurisdiction over the case in September and suspended local or state authorities from conducting an independent investigation, citing federal law related to the prosecution of crimes against public figures.
- The complaint alleges that the law doesn't prohibit Florida's investigation and that the suspension violates the Tenth Amendment, which grants power to states.
Context: The U.S. Secret Service in September discovered an armed person hiding by the golf course at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
- Routh was charged with the attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and four other counts.
Two days after Routh's arrest, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Highway Patrol to "ensure appropriate state charges are brought," the complaint said.
- With the investigation suspended, the state can't interview witnesses or execute warrants or subpoenas until after the federal investigation concludes.
- "That is significant," Moody wrote. "Evidence disappears, memories fade and the state has no way to force the federal government to cooperate in the state's prosecution."
Zoom in: Moody said when the state investigation launched, federal prosecutors hadn't yet charged Routh with attempted assassination.
- She called out the federal government's existing prosecution against Trump, including for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, as a reason for "lack of public confidence in the federal investigation."
The DOJ declined to comment but said in a letter to Moody dated Sept. 30 that it looks "forward to continued engagement to ensure that the active federal prosecution and any potential subsequent state prosecution are appropriately sequenced."
- U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe signed the letter.
Go deeper: What to know about the suspect in the Trump golf club assassination attempt
