On December 18, Florida officials, including Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody, publicly accused the federal government of obstructing a state investigation into Ryan Wesley Routh, who allegedly attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his golf course in Florida. Moody claimed that the Department of Justice had directed the state to halt its inquiries, citing a federal statute regarding crimes against prominent public figures. She emphasized that the interpretation of this directive was misguided and that the state should continue its investigation into Routh, arguing that the circumstances warranted legal action independent of federal jurisdiction. Governor DeSantis echoed Moody’s sentiments, alleging that the federal government had continuously hindered their investigation, and expressed confidence that they would be able to pursue justice once Trump returned to office on January 20.
Routh was arrested in mid-September after being found armed near Trump’s golf course, reportedly lying in wait for the former president. Following an encounter with a Secret Service agent, who fired shots at him, Routh fled but was ultimately apprehended on Interstate 95 in Martin County. Moody’s office had swiftly secured a warrant for his arrest on the same day and began to address the additional consequences of his actions. During the pursuit following his arrest, a six-year-old girl was injured in a multi-vehicle crash, leading Moody to highlight the need for justice not only concerning Routh’s potential motives but also accountability for the injuries inflicted on the girl and her family.
The crash occurred about half an hour after Routh’s capture on I-95, during which traffic was halted for safety reasons while law enforcement was wary of potential weapons or explosives in Routh’s vehicle. Moody pointed to this incident as a direct consequence of Routh’s actions while attempting to evade law enforcement, confirming that the state intended to file new charges against him upon his transfer to state custody. The careful coordination of traffic by officials was necessary to manage the high-risk situation as they worked to apprehend Routh, underscoring the complexities involved in such critical and potentially violent encounters.
According to reports cited in the arrest warrant affidavit, Routh had exhibited precarious behavior in the lead-up to the assassination attempt. Secret Service agents had discovered him with a gun barrel situated through the fence of Trump’s golf course as the former president played golf. During his time in the vicinity, Routh reportedly waited for approximately 12 hours for a chance to enact his plan. Following his arrest, federal prosecutors indicated that Routh, who was believed to reside in Hawaii, had been surveilling the area surrounding Trump’s golf course and the Trumps’ residence, Mar-a-Lago, for a month. This prolonged presence heightened concerns about his intentions and actions.
Further examination revealed that Routh had left a note with an acquaintance, which articulated his desire to assassinate Trump, stemming from discontent over the former administration’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal initiated by President Obama. This revelation brought to light Routh’s political motivations, which were further mirrored in his social media presence where he expressed support for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, showcasing a more extensive ideological motivation behind his actions.
In the wake of these developments, the Florida government is determined to proceed with their investigation, aiming to hold Routh accountable for not only his assassination attempt but also the collateral damage incurred during the pursuit of justice. Attorney General Moody has emphasized the importance of comprehensively understanding Routh’s motivations and history while seeking to provide clarity and closure for the victims impacted by his actions. Throughout this legal ordeal, the ongoing tension between state and federal jurisdictions remains an ongoing battle, particularly as the federal government maintains its position on the investigation into crimes involving significant public figures. As this case unfolds, the Florida government remains steadfast in its pursuit of accountability and justice amid what they assert are unnecessary federal hindrances.
