Florida authorities have initiated a criminal investigation into an alleged assassination attempt targeting Donald Trump, as announced by Governor Ron DeSantis on September 17, 2024. This state-level probe will run concurrently with the ongoing federal investigation into Ryan Wesley Routh, who faces federal firearms charges.
DeSantis, who became Florida's 46th governor in 2019, emphasized the state's commitment to pursuing the most severe charges possible under state law, including attempted murder. "We have a very strong interest in holding this suspect accountable," he stated during a press briefing.
The incident occurred at Trump's West Palm Beach golf course, a city incorporated in 1894 and known as the oldest municipality in South Florida. According to officials, Routh allegedly waited for nearly 12 hours outside the course with food and a rifle before a Secret Service agent intervened, potentially averting an attack.
The United States Secret Service, established in 1865 and tasked with presidential protection since 1901, played a crucial role in thwarting the potential threat. This event follows a concerning pattern, coming just two months after a July 13, 2024 shooting at a Pennsylvania campaign rally where Trump was grazed by a bullet.
The FBI, founded in 1908 as the primary domestic intelligence agency in the U.S., is leading the federal investigation. Agents have interviewed Routh's associates and are gathering evidence, though no motive has been disclosed. Routh, exercising his Miranda rights established in 1966, has requested an attorney.
Routh's online presence reveals evolving political views, including recent criticism of Trump. In a 2023 self-published book titled "Ukraine's Unwinnable War," Routh referred to the former president as a "fool" and "buffoon," criticizing his actions during the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot and his decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) signed in 2015.
This incident has intensified concerns about the escalating violence in American presidential politics. It's worth noting that the first recorded assassination attempt on a U.S. President occurred in 1835 against Andrew Jackson, highlighting the long-standing nature of such threats in American history.
As the investigations progress, both state and federal authorities are working diligently to ensure a thorough examination of the case. The Justice Department, established in 1870, may seek additional charges through a grand jury indictment, a process rooted in the colonial era and protected by the Fifth Amendment.
"We have a very strong interest in holding this suspect accountable."
The case underscores the complex interplay between federal and state jurisdictions in matters of national security and criminal justice. As Florida, which joined the Union in 1845, moves forward with its investigation, the nation watches closely, reminded of the ongoing challenges in safeguarding democracy and its leaders.