Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Tuesday morning that he is signing an executive order assigning the apparent assassination case on former President Donald Trump to the Office of Statewide Prosecutor under the supervision of Attorney General Ashley Moody.
During a news conference in West Palm Beach, DeSantis spoke about the assassination attempt on Trump at his golf club.
DeSantis expressed alarm about the fact that the federal agencies investigating the suspected assassination attempt on Trump’s life are also managing the prosecution of the latter.
“The suspect committed several state law violations across multiple judicial circuits, including Martin County as well as, perhaps, the judicial circuit represented by Broward County,” DeSantis said.
“I will assign the case involving the attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump to the office of statewide prosecutor under the supervision of Attorney General Ashley Moody. The suspect, Ryan Routh, is believed to have committed state law violations across multiple judicial circuits in this state. Palm Beach judicial circuit. Judicial circuit in Martin County and perhaps the judicial circuit represented by Broward County,” DeSantis declared.
He added, “The state of Florida has jurisdiction over the most serious straightforward offense, which is attempted murder. I’ve directed state agencies to move expeditiously and provide full transparency to the public. In my judgment, it’s not in the best interest of our state or nation to have the same federal agencies seeking to prosecute Donald Trump leading this investigation, especially when the most serious straight forward offense constitutes a violation of state law, but not federal law.”
“In addition to holding the suspect accountable, the public deserves to know the truth about how this assassination came to be. I have directed all state agencies to work expeditiously to be able to uncover the truth in addition to holding this suspect accountable,” the governor added.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and other law enforcement authorities shared details on the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at his golf club in Florida, as well as the proximity of Trump to the assassin.
In an interview with reporters, Bradshaw revealed that a Secret Service member had stopped the purportedly planned attempt when they observed the rifle’s barrel close to the following hole Trump would play on the course.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris responded shortly after Trump was deemed “safe” after shots were fired near Trump National Golf Club on Sunday.
According to numerous reports, shots were fired on Sunday at or near the Trump National Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump, the GOP contender for president in 2024, was playing golf.
The White House said in a statement that Biden and Harris had received a briefing and would continue to receive updates regarding the investigation. The White House said that they are “relieved to know that he is safe.”
Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis \announced on Twitter that his state would investigate the apparent assassination attempt on Trump: “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,” DeSantis wrote on social media.
Trump’s top advisers, Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, sent out an all-staff memo after the incident today: “Today, for the second time in two months, an evil monster attempted to take the life of President Trump.” They praised “the great work of the United States Secret Service,” for keeping him safe and said, “This is not a matter that we take lightly. Your safety is always our top priority. We ask that you remain vigilant in your daily comings and goings.”
“President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time,” Steven Cheung, Trump’s campaign communications director, said in a statement on Sunday afternoon.
Trump wrote in a statement released by his campaign on Sunday, “I AM SAFE AND WELL! Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER! I will always love you for supporting me. Unity. Peace. Make America Great Again.”
