Florida Gov. DeSantis has assigned state law enforcement to investigate the Palm Beach County case involving this weekend’s apparent assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump.
DeSantis’ announcement at a Tuesday news conference in West Palm Beach followed up on statements he made the day before, asserting that the state needs to investigate alongside any federal probe to ensure “the truth comes out.”
Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, is accused of pushing the muzzle of a rifle through fencing at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach on Sunday. He was spotted and fired upon by a U.S. Secret Service agent and was later captured after driving away.
DeSantis said Routh is believed to have committed several violations of state law in multiple jurisdictions.
He also pointed out that the state has jurisdiction over the most serious offense Routh could face: attempted murder.
But, according to a former federal prosecutor, DeSantis’ options are limited.
“He can certainly do that but it’s nonsense. And all that will do is interfere with federal prosecution,” said former federal prosecutor Curtis Fallgatter. “I spent 17 years at the US Attorney’s Office. Never in my experience have the state authorities deferred to the federal authorities when it comes to a prosecution.”
Fallgatter said Florida would have to file a writ to the court to take custody of Routh but he said a federal judge would side with federal prosecutors if they don’t want to hand over the suspect to state investigators for questioning.
Currently, Routh is facing federal charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Additional charges are expected as the investigation continues.
MORE: Suspect in apparent assassination attempt on Trump was near golf course for 12 hours, records show
DeSantis asserted that he believes it’s not in the best interest of the public to have the same federal agencies working to prosecute the former president investigating the possible assassination attempt in Florida.
“I have directed state agencies to move expeditiously and provide full transparency to the public,” DeSantis said. “In addition to holding the suspect accountable, the public deserves to know the truth about how this assassination (attempt) came to be.”
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said the investigations will not be at odds with one another.
“That doesn’t mean it’s a turf war...It is very common for state prosecutors to work with federal investigators, and federal agents on dual tracks with different purposes. We may have different charges here,” Moody said.
Fallgatter called it a “political stunt.”
“There’s nothing the state can do until the feds finish their prosecution,” he said.
The FBI also is investigating an assassination attempt against Trump in July in Butler, Pa.
Outside the White House on Monday, Biden told reporters that Congress needs to provide more personnel to the Secret Service.
“Thank God the president is OK,” Biden told reporters. “One thing I want to make clear: the service needs more help. And I think Congress should respond to their needs.”
DeSantis first announced a state investigation Sunday night, posting on the social media platform X that, “the people deserve the truth about the would be assassin and how he was able to get within 500 yards of the former president and current GOP nominee.”