Then-President Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis. Source: Governor’s Office
Gov. Ron DeSantis plans a state investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump over the weekend to make sure the probe is “credible” and to look into whether the suspect broke any state laws, he said Monday.
During a press conference in Orlando about the Florida Prepaid College Savings Plan, DeSantis said his administration will make an announcement in the “ensuing days” about the investigation.
The governor first announced his intention to look into the matter on Sunday, following what the FBI said “appears to be an attempted assassination” at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.
The FBI has opened its own investigation; agents already were looking into the attempted assassination of Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July.
“I understand that the feds are involved, but we do believe that there were multiple violations of state law,” DeSantis said Monday. “We also believe that there’s a need to make sure that the truth about all this comes out in a way, you know, that’s credible.”
“I mean, I look, the federal government, with all due respect to them, you know, those same agencies that are prosecuting Trump in that jurisdiction are now going to be investigating this,” DeSantis said. “I just think that that may not be the best thing for this country. Nevertheless, they have their prerogative, but we have our prerogative, and so we’ll be making an announcement further along those lines in the in the ensuing days”
The State of Florida will be conducting its own investigation regarding the attempted assassination at Trump International Golf Club.
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…
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 16, 2024
U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean, a Republican representing Clay, Duval, and Nassau counties, posted on his non-official X account that he supports a congressional investigation.
Americans must have rapid answers regarding the second attempt on President Trump’s life in just 64 days. I support a congressional investigation as well as any investigation by the State of Florida. Our thanks to swift law enforcement action for apprehending the suspect quickly…
— Aaron Bean (@AaronPBean) September 16, 2024
The shooter had a loaded AK-47-style rifle with a scope and was between 300 and 500 yards away from Trump when he was located by the Secret Service, according to news reports.
Ryan Routh, a North Carolina man, has been charged with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number after he was tracked down after fleeing the golf club.
Sunday, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis posted that he wants “to see [President Joe] Biden- [Vice President Kamala] Harris come out and promise to increase his security and get to the bottom of the PA shooting and whatever happened today.”
Biden told reporters Monday that the Secret Service “needs more help” and that “Congress should respond to their needs.”
The governor’s office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement did not immediately respond Monday to questions about which agency will lead the state investigation.
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