by Katelynn Richardson
Florida sued the Biden-Harris administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) Wednesday for allegedly blocking the state’s investigation into the second Trump assassination attempt.
Federal officials almost immediately began “taking steps to halt the state’s investigation” into Ryan Wesley Routh, who was indicted for attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his Florida golf course in September, the lawsuit states.
“Every day that Florida is prevented from investigating, the State’s case becomes harder to prove at trial,” the lawsuit states. “By contrast, the federal government suffers no injury from Florida investigating state law crimes, as the State has no intention of interfering with or obstructing the federal investigation.”
Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order two days after the Sept. 15 attempt directing Florida law enforcement agencies to investigate and ensure violations of state law were referred for prosecution.
Attorney General Ashley Moody (pictured above) wrote a letter Sept. 23 to FBI Director Christopher Wray indicating it would be a “mistake” to frustrate Florida’s investigation.
In a Sept. 30 response, U.S. Attorney Lapointe said the state cannot conduct investigative activities until the federal prosecution is complete, according to the lawsuit. Federal officials indicated that activities like interviewing potential witnesses are illegal under federal law, the lawsuit states.
Routh was initially charged with two gun offenses. The DOJ later charged him with attempted assassination on Sept. 24.
The DOJ did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Katelynn Richardson is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photo “Ashley Moody” by Ashley Moody.