DeSantis: It’s not in ‘best interest’ to have federal agencies lead investigation of Trump assassination attempt – Washington Examiner
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the state will conduct its own investigation into the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, emphasizing the importance of understanding how the incident occurred. During a press conference, DeSantis expressed his concerns about having federal agencies, which are also interested in prosecuting Trump, lead the investigation. He pointed out that the assassination attempt constitutes a violation of state law rather than federal law. The governor directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to take charge of the investigation, as this allows Florida to potentially pursue more serious charges, including attempted murder, and offers a path for accountability that federal agencies cannot provide. DeSantis reiterated that his priority is to uncover the truth for the public and ensure justice is served.
DeSantis: It’s not in ‘best interest’ to have federal agencies lead investigation of Trump assassination attempt
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) stressed the need for Florida to conduct its own investigation into the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, as the public needs to know how this second attempt even happened in the first place.
DeSantis said in a Tuesday press conference that he was assigning the Office of Statewide Prosecution to conduct its own investigation, as he does not believe it is in “the best interest” to have federal agencies “seeking to prosecute” the former president to lead this investigation. The governor cited how the most recent assassination attempt was “a violation of state law” rather than federal law.
“In my judgment, it’s not in the best interest of our state or our nation to have 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,” DeSantis said. “In addition to holding the suspect accountable, the public deserves to know the truth about how this assassination came to be, and I have directed all state agencies to work expeditiously to be able to uncover the truth in addition to holding this suspect accountable.”
Another reason Florida is doing its own investigation, the governor explained, is that the federal government “does not have jurisdiction to bring an attempted murder charge.” DeSantis added that conducting an investigation at the state level allows the suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, to receive life in prison, calling it “a huge reason” for Florida to investigate the assassination attempt.
“So, they cannot pursue charges to the extent that we can, and yes, I do think that there’s a lot of concern about how these agencies have operated, and the state of Florida, for us, all we’re interested in is the truth,” DeSantis said. “We’re not involved in any of those other things that the Justice Department or the FBI have been involved in. So, it’s better for the public, and it’s better for justice.”
‘IF YOU LET ME FINISH!’: DeSantis spats with reporter over Florida seeking to file attempted murder charges against Trump assassination suspect versus the federal government
“We have the ability to pursue potentially life in prison under state law.”
“They cannot pursue charges… pic.twitter.com/Y2hsZz7NJr
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) September 17, 2024
On X, DeSantis wrote that Florida has jurisdiction over “the most serious, readily provable offense,” that being an attempted murder of the former president. He also stated that accountability would be upheld in his state, as Florida residents and the entire country “deserve no less.”
The State of Florida is conducting its own investigation into the second attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. It is not in the best interests of our state and nation to have the same federal agencies seeking to prosecute Trump leading this investigation.
As… pic.twitter.com/l61XCoe0ls
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 17, 2024
Besides the investigations announced by DeSantis, the FBI, and the Secret Service, the congressional task force investigating Trump’s first assassination attempt is expanding its investigation into Sunday’s attempt. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), who is leading the task force, and ranking member Jason Crow (D-CO) have requested a briefing from the Secret Service.
On Monday night, Eric Trump argued his father is taking “every bullet literally and figuratively” while campaigning for president and said these bullets are “only going one way.” He rebuked Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democratic lawmakers for calling his father “a threat to democracy” and warned the United States would become “a Third World country” should Trump or any other presidential candidate get assassinated.
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