Florida has taken legal action against the Justice Department in a bid to continue its investigation into the second attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. The state's Attorney General filed a complaint against the Justice Department after being instructed to pause its investigation until the federal probe is completed.
Florida officials were directed not to interview witnesses and were advised to cooperate solely with the federal investigation. The Justice Department cited federal law, which mandates that the FBI investigate attempted assassinations of political figures, suspending state jurisdiction in such cases.
The state argues that it is suing to uphold its right to investigate violations of state law, emphasizing that delays could impact potential prosecutions. The Justice Department has refrained from commenting on the matter.
Following the incident at Trump's golf club in West Palm Beach, where an assassination attempt was thwarted by a Secret Service agent, Florida announced its intention to pursue state charges against the suspect, Ryan Routh. Routh, who is facing federal charges, pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Prosecutors revealed that Routh had written about his plans to kill Trump in a handwritten note months before his arrest. The note, which referred to the act as a failed assassination attempt and offered a reward for someone to 'finish the job,' was found in a box left at the home of an unidentified witness.
Notably, this incident occurred just two months after Trump was shot and wounded during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service acknowledged previous security lapses but highlighted the successful prevention of the Florida attack.
