Staff Reports
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is stepping up to the plate, filing a lawsuit against the Justice Department in what can only be described as a bold move in the face of federal overreach. This legal action comes after the Department of Justice allegedly tried to all but halt Florida’s investigation into a shocking assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The attempt, which occurred on September 15, has raised serious concerns about both state and federal authority. It seems DOJ officials are less interested in justice and more interested in functioning as a roadblock to state law enforcement.
Governor Ron DeSantis isn’t letting this assault on state rights go unchecked. Following the incident, he issued an executive order directing state law enforcement agencies to partner up with Attorney General Moody’s office. The objective? To investigate not just the assassination attempt, but any other laws that suspect Ryan Routh may have flouted. The executive order underscores the Florida leadership’s determination to leave no stone unturned. Clearly, they aren’t going to sit idly by while federal agencies attempt to control the narrative.
Florida Sues DOJ for Blocking State Investigation of Trump Assassination Attempt
https://t.co/P63sCG4gs4— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) October 25, 2024
Moody’s lawsuit lays the groundwork for a serious fight against what she perceives as federal interference. After Florida launched its investigation post-assassination attempt, the DOJ wasted no time in demanding that those local efforts be suspended. They cited a federal law regarding crime against major public figures, claiming it superseded state actions. Yet, this argument becomes rather murky when one considers that at the time of Florida’s launch, Routh had only been charged federally with illegal gun possession, not the attempted assassination that would follow—a move clearly intentional to limit state inquiry.
The notion that Florida officials would be barred from interviewing witnesses while federal authorities conduct their investigation is irksome to say the least. The attorney general emphasizes that this is not just a legal technicality but a direct violation of state sovereignty as guaranteed by the 10th Amendment. The underlying question apparent in Moody’s complaint is who truly possesses the power to enforce laws when major crimes are involved: the state or the federal bureaucracy.
The tension comes to a head with U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe demanding that Florida stand down following the filing of the attempted assassination charges against Routh. But as Moody rightly argues, this is about more than just a single case. It’s a matter of ensuring Floridians can trust that their government is working for them and not being shackled by a far-off federal agenda. By invoking the law and calling for judicial review of the DOJ’s actions, Florida is asserting its right to uphold justice in a manner that reflects the will of its citizens. The escalating feud is a stark reminder that Florida intends to protect its authority amidst increasing federal oversight, and it seems determined not to let bureaucratic red tape deprive it of that right.
