Former President Donald Trump called on Monday for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to take over the investigation into what he claims was a second assassination attempt against him, citing a lack of trust in federal law enforcement agencies.
In a statement on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, “If the DOJ and FBI cannot do their job honestly and without bias, and hold the aspiring assassin responsible to the full extent of the Law, Governor Ron DeSantis and the State of Florida have already agreed to take the lead on the investigation and prosecution.”
The former president asserted that Florida’s “charges would be much more serious than the ones the FBI has announced” and that “The TRUTH would be followed, wherever it leads.” Trump also wrote: “OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM IS CORRUPT AND DISCREDITED, especially as it pertains to the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. LET FLORIDA HANDLE THE CASE!”
The Department of Justice (DOJ) alleged that 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh expressed a desire to kill Trump, the GOP’s presidential nominee, in a note and kept a handwritten list of dates and venues where Trump was expected to appear. Routh is charged with possession of a firearm while a former felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
While Routh did not fire any shots on September 15, a Secret Service agent spotted a rifle sticking out of the fence of Trump’s Florida golf course and opened fire. Routh fled the scene and was arrested later that day.
At the time of the incident, the FBI told Newsweek that it was “investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump.”
Newsweek contacted Trump’s campaign and DeSantis’ rapid response director via email, as well as the DOJ and FBI via online form on Monday for comment.
Trump’s allegations of bias stem from a series of ongoing investigations and legal challenges he faces, including probes into his handling of classified documents, his actions surrounding the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, and various state-level inquiries into his business practices and attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
In response to Trump’s concerns, DeSantis announced last week that state law enforcement officials would launch their own criminal investigation into the incident, running parallel to the federal probe.
“We have a very strong interest in holding this suspect accountable,” DeSantis told reporters, indicating that Florida prosecutors would pursue the most serious charges available under state law, including attempted murder.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, responding to the criticism, stated last week during a news conference, “We will spare no resource in this investigation.” However, Trump reportedly remains skeptical, calling for Florida to take the lead in both the investigation and potential prosecution.
This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.
Then-President Donald Trump is seen with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on November 26, 2019, in Sunrise, Florida. Trump called on Monday for DeSantis to take over the investigation into what he claims was a second assassination attempt against him, citing a lack of trust in federal law enforcement agencies.
Getty Images/Joe Raedle
