Florida sues DOJ for blocking investigation into Trump assassination attempt

Florida is suing the Justice Department to stop federal authorities from blocking the state’s investigation into the second attempted assassination of former US president Donald Trump.

On Wednesday, the state’s Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody filed a complaint against Attorney General Merrick Garland after the Justice Department told Florida to temporarily halt its investigation until the federal investigation concluded. Republican Governor Ron DeSantis previously said Florida would pursue state charges against the suspect, Ryan Routh, who is already facing federal charges.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, left. Photo: AP

Florida officials were told not to interview witnesses and that they could only cooperate with the federal investigation, the lawsuit says. Justice Department officials cited the federal law, which says an attempted assassination of a political candidate shall be investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and that state jurisdiction is suspended if the federal government steps in, according to the complaint.

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

The Justice Department declined to comment.

DeSantis announced the state investigation two days after the September 15 incident at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach. Authorities previously said the assassination attempt was thwarted when a member of Trump’s Secret Service protective detail spotted a rifle barrel protruding through the golf course fence line. The agent fired in the direction of the suspect, who sped away and was arrested in a neighbouring county.

Темы и теги

США Происшествия и Катастрофы

DOJ Дональд Трамп Трамп блокирование следствие блокирование убийство поворот расследование попытка