Florida Governor Launches State Investigation into Attempted Assassination of Former President Trump

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
17/09/2024 22h17

In a bid for "trust and transparency," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed an executive order initiating a state investigation into the recent apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The incident occurred at Trump's West Palm Beach golf club on Sunday. During a press conference, Governor DeSantis announced that the Office of Statewide Prosecutor, under the supervision of State Attorney General Ashley Moody, will conduct the investigation.

Governor DeSantis expressed concerns about the federal government's ability to effectively investigate and prosecute the incident, which marks the second assassination attempt on Trump in just two months. The first attempt took place at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. While the motives behind these attacks remain unknown, DeSantis stated that the most serious offense in both cases falls under state law rather than federal law.

The Department of Justice declined to comment on DeSantis' remarks when approached by ABC News. Currently, federal prosecutors in Florida are appealing a ruling that dismissed a federal case against Trump in the Southern District of Florida. The charges related to unlawfully retaining classified documents from his time in the White House and allegedly obstructing the government's efforts to retrieve them. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in this matter.

The suspect in the recent assassination attempt, Ryan Wesley Routh, a convicted felon, was swiftly apprehended by authorities. Federal prosecutors have charged him with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, as well as possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Routh was reportedly lying in wait near the golf course for nearly 12 hours before being spotted by a Secret Service agent.

The FBI is leading the investigation into the incident, with the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida responsible for prosecuting the case against Routh. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland addressed the attempted assassination during his first on-camera remarks, assuring that the FBI, along with state and local law enforcement partners, are working tirelessly to determine accountability.

Acting Secret Service Director Ron Rowe Jr. clarified that Trump was never in the line of sight of the suspected gunman and that no shots were fired. President Trump himself commended the Secret Service for their protection, expressing confidence in their ability to safeguard him during this heightened threat environment.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas praised the Secret Service's swift response, highlighting the agency's commitment to enhancing the former president's security posture. Mayorkas emphasized that the Secret Service's increased measures align with Trump's status as a former president and his involvement in the ongoing presidential campaign.

Attorney General Ashley Moody stated that the state investigation will be conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Highway Patrol. Moody stressed the importance of uncovering the truth behind the incident and developing strategies to prevent similar attacks in the future.

Commissioner Mark Glass of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement echoed Moody's sentiment, emphasizing that Florida is a law-and-order state and that they will tirelessly pursue answers and truth surrounding the incident. Glass added that information sharing among law enforcement entities is crucial for a comprehensive investigation.

As the state investigation takes shape, many are looking to uncover the motive behind the attempted assassination and ensure the safety of all individuals involved in political events. The outcome of the investigation will shed light on the circumstances surrounding these attacks and provide insights into preventing future incidents of this nature.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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