Gov. Ron DeSantis assigned Florida’s Statewide Prosecutor to lead an investigation into the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, citing the state’s jurisdiction and ability to seek maximum penalties.
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed an Executive Order assigning the investigation into an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump to the Florida Office of Statewide Prosecution.
The move, the governor said, allows the state to take charge of the case and allows the state of Florida to pursue more severe charges than federal prosecutors. The suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, is accused of violating state laws across multiple judicial circuits, including Palm Beach and Martin counties, with a possible connection to Broward County. The Office of Statewide Prosecution has jurisdiction over crimes spanning multiple circuits, enabling the state to pursue charges of attempted murder, which could result in a life sentence.
DeSantis also claimed that it “would not be in the state’s or the nation’s best interest” for the same federal agencies prosecuting Trump to lead an investigation into the attempted assassination.
“The state of Florida has jurisdiction over the most serious, straightforward offense, which is attempted murder,” he said. “In my judgment, it’s not in the best interest of our state or our nation at the same federal agencies that are seeking to prosecute Donald Trump leading this investigation, especially when the most serious, straightforward offense constitutes a violation of state law, but not federal law.
Local law enforcement officials were present at a press conference announcing the Executive Order, pledging full cooperation. Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw, whose department assisted in Ralph’s arrest stated that he would work to “prosecute this individual to the fullest extent of the law.”
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, who will oversee the investigation, expressed confidence in the state’s ability to investigate the matter and noted that Florida law enforcement agencies, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Florida Highway Patrol, will work to uncover all relevant facts.
“Sometimes, states have the ability and the jurisdiction to bring charges and go after maximum penalties that the federal government does not — and that doesn’t mean it’s a turf war,” she said. “It is very common for state investigators and state prosecutors to work with our federal prosecutors and federal agents on dual tracks with different purposes.”
DeSantis added that due to the state’s Sunshine Laws, the public will be able to request and access records from the investigation and will be conducted in an open manner.
Federal authorities, including the FBI and Secret Service, are already investigating the incident, which occurred on Sunday afternoon. Secret Service agents fired at Routh after spotting him with an AK-47-style rifle near Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, where Trump was golfing. Routh fled the scene but was later arrested by law enforcement after a witness reported his vehicle. Trump was unharmed.
This is the second assassination attempt on Trump in recent months. In July, the former president was grazed by a bullet at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.