Staff Reports
Florida’s Attorney General Ashley Moody is stepping up to the plate, ready to swing at what she perceives as the über-federal government swooping down like an overbearing uncle at a family BBQ. The object of her scrutiny? The Department of Justice. This isn’t just any slap on the wrist. This is a full-blown lawsuit asserting that the DOJ is meddling in local affairs and trampling over state sovereignty all while the Sunshine State investigates a serious threat against former President Donald Trump.
The backdrop involves the notorious Ryan Routh, who allegedly thought it would be a good idea to bring a firearm to the golf course while Trump was teeing off. Routh, who’s in a bit of hot water, has been charged with two federal firearm offenses. But instead of allowing the state to handle the matter appropriately, Moody claims the DOJ is throwing a wrench in the works, challenging Florida’s authority to investigate the assassination attempt on a former president.
Moody’s frustration is palpable. She argued that the feds, in their infinite wisdom, decided to suspend state jurisdiction over the case, effectively putting the brakes on any investigation. This maneuver not only raises eyebrows but also demands scrutiny of how far the federal government can stretch its tentacles into state matters. Moody firmly asserts that Florida should have the right to govern itself without federal interference, especially when it concerns the safety of its residents and its elected officials.
Florida AG fights ‘overreach of federal power’ by DOJ ahead of election https://t.co/EAt5gQXs72
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) October 25, 2024
The Secret Service might have played the vigilante here, spotting Routh and escorting him off the course, but it was county sheriff’s officers who took him into custody. Moody has stated that the state could potentially charge Routh with fleeing the scene, but she claims the DOJ’s roadblocks are making it tough to pursue a proper investigation. Apparently, the DOJ isn’t just playing hard to get; they’re apparently using a “no trespassing” sign and a heavy-duty lock on the state’s inquiry.
As for Routh, he’s taken the not-guilty route on charges that include possessing a firearm with an intentionally obliterated serial number and trying to take out a major presidential candidate. If convicted, he faces a potential two-decade vacation at the state penitentiary. But for now, the drama unfolds with Florida standing firm against what it views as federal overreach in a case that has implications far beyond a simple golf outing gone awry.
