Attorney General Ashley Moody filed a lawsuit in federal court against the U.S. Department of Justice over its unlawful attempt to block Florida’s criminal investigation following the second attempted assassination on President Donald Trump. Florida announced an independent state investigation to ensure appropriate state laws are enforced. Within days, however, DOJ began demanding that Florida suspend its investigation.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “The State of Florida has been clear that a dual-track investigation would be in the best interest of all parties involved. It is not lost on us that the American people have concerns about federal agencies exclusively handling this matter while simultaneously investigating and attempting to prosecute President Trump. Given that the Department of Justice is preventing our independent investigation from proceeding, we filed suit to ensure that Florida can take appropriate action to enforce its laws.”

After Florida announced its independent investigation, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order Number 24-197, directing the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Florida Highway Patrol to work with relevant partners and with Attorney General Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution to investigate the attempted assassination and other state-law crimes emanating from Mr. Routh’s actions.