
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and Attorney General Ashley Moody have doubled down on their pursuit of justice in the September 15 attempt on President Donald Trump’s life. Despite resistance from federal authorities, the state has filed its own charges against Ryan Routh, the alleged perpetrator.
Moody announced Wednesday that Routh now faces charges of attempted felony murder in Florida. The charges stem from injuries sustained by a 6-year-old girl during Routh’s escape on I-95. Law enforcement had to stop traffic during his capture, leading to a tragic accident.
Florida charged Ryan Wesley Routh with attempted felony murder for his alleged assassination attempt on Trump, which also severely injured a young girl. Attorney General Ashley Moody accused federal authorities of withholding evidence. pic.twitter.com/XbTIooDCU2
— Sequencer (@RealSeq16) December 18, 2024
“This case goes beyond an assassination attempt. It involves reckless actions that harmed innocent people,” Moody said. She described Routh’s behavior as domestic terrorism, underscoring the seriousness of the state’s case.
Florida officials have accused the federal government of obstructing their investigation, refusing to provide evidence or access to crime scenes. Moody said these roadblocks have made the state’s efforts more challenging but vowed to press forward.
The state of Florida is filing new charges against the man accused of attempting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump earlier this year in Palm Beach County. https://t.co/mfSygcb4gg
— FOX 17 (@FOX17) December 18, 2024
DeSantis echoed her concerns, stating that the federal response raises questions about transparency. “We will not allow federal interference to stop us from pursuing the truth,” DeSantis said. He pledged to uncover all details of Routh’s motives and actions.
Routh’s federal trial is expected to begin in February, though his legal team has requested additional time to prepare. A decision on that request is forthcoming.