Merrick Garland says FBI investigating ‘what appears to be an assassination attempt of former President Trump’

"We are grateful that the former President is safe. The entire Justice Department — including the FBI, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, and the National Security Division — is coordinating closely with our law enforcement partners on the ground," Garland said.

"We will work tirelessly to ensure accountability, and we will bring every available resource to bear in this investigation."

Secret Service agents opened fire on Sunday after spotting a gun barrel sticking out from a fence between 300 to 500 yards from where Trump was playing gold. The suspect, later identified as Routh, fled and was later arrested on I-95 in Florida. Trump was unharmed. The suspect was registered Democrat Routh, a 58-year-old man who frequently posted pro-Ukrainian messaging on his social media accounts and had written about supporting the assassination of Trump before.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has stated that Florida would be conducting its own investigation regarding the incident. "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 nominee."

On Monday, Routh was charged with two federal drug counts: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Officials said during the hearing that Routh could face up to 15 years in prison for a conviction on the first count, and a possible five-year sentence on the second count.