Ron DeSantis Takes Charge of Trump Assassination Suspect

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered a state investigation into an alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump, citing distrust of federal law enforcement due to the ongoing federal prosecution of Trump.

“In my view, it is not in the best interest of our state or our nation for the same federal agencies that are prosecuting Donald Trump to be conducting this investigation, particularly when the most serious offense is a violation of state law, not federal law,” DeSantis said at a news conference in West Palm Beach on Tuesday.

The state investigation, led by Attorney General Ashley Moody, will run parallel to the federal investigation into Ryan Wesley Routh, who was indicted Monday on federal firearms charges. DeSantis said the Florida State Prosecution Service, under Moody’s supervision, may have a stronger case than the federal government.

“We have a vested interest in holding this suspect accountable,” DeSantis told reporters.

He said the case involved violations of state law and could result in a stronger case at the state level. DeSantis also said Florida prosecutors would pursue the most serious charges under state law, including attempted murder.

“I believe this offense deserves life in prison, and if we don’t apply the full extent of the law, we lower the threshold for future attempts,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis said a state-led investigation would be “better for the public and justice,” raising concerns about the fairness of the federal government because of the ongoing case accusing Trump of mishandling classified documents at his Palm Beach home.

Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspect in Sunday’s shooting, was charged with illegal possession of a firearm with the serial number removed. DeSantis has said he wants Routh charged with attempted murder.

Routh, 58, was arrested Sunday after authorities noticed a gun sticking out of a bush on the golf course where Trump was playing. He had camped near the course for nearly 12 hours with food and a rifle, waiting for the former president. The potential attack was foiled when a Secret Service agent spotted him and opened fire.

Although Routh did not fire any shots and never had Trump in his line of sight, he fled the scene after the officer fired in his direction. He was later arrested in a neighboring county. The FBI has classified the case as an “apparent assassination attempt.”

Federal investigators are now looking into Routh’s online activity, which suggests he is a man of shifting political views. Recently, he has appeared to express disdain for Trump, as well as intense anger over global issues related to China and, in particular, Ukraine.