Florida sues Merrick Garland over blocking probe into second assassination attempt on Trump

The state of Florida has sued Merrick Garland for blocking the state's probe into the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Federal authorities told the state to halt its investigation into Ryan Routh, who reportedly waited for hours with a firearm to target the GOP nominee while he was playing golf on his course in West Palm Beach.  

On Wednesday, Florida's Attorney General Ashley Moody filed a complaint against United States Attorney General Merrick Garland. Garland had previously told the state to stop all investigating into the assassination attempt. Governor Ron DeSantis had made it clear that the state was going to file charges against Routh, per CBS 12 News.  

Authorities in Florida were told by the DOJ that they would not be able to interview witnesses in the case and that Florida state officials had to cooperate with the federal investigation. The lawsuit in response from Florida stated that it is suing in order to "vindicate its sovereign interest to investigate violations of state law, as delay may impact the outcome of any prosecution." 

DeSantis announced that the state would be probing the assassination attempt just two days after the second attempt on Trump's life. Routh was allegedly spotted pointing a rifle through a chain link fence around 300 yards away from where the GOP nominee was playing. Once fired upon by Secret Service agents, he fled on foot to his car where he then drove away, later getting pulled over by local police and was arrested.  

Routh has been charged with attempted assignation of a major presidential candidate, possessing a gun as a felon, as well as other counts. He has pleaded not guilty in response to all federal charges. Routh allegedly outlined his plans to kill Trump in a note where he said if he did not complete the "assassination attempt on Donald Trump" then he would pay $150,000 to anyone who succeeds in carrying out the act.