A federal judge has put on hold a lawsuit filed by former Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which alleged that federal officials obstructed Florida’s investigation into an attempted assassination of then-candidate Donald Trump.
U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore issued an order delaying the case after DOJ attorneys requested more time to discuss next steps, citing ongoing negotiations between both parties. Originally, the DOJ faced a response deadline this week, but Moore extended it to April 28.
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The lawsuit, filed on October 23, 2024, alleged that the FBI prevented Florida authorities from investigating whether Ryan Routh, 58, committed state-level crimes when he was found hiding with a rifle near Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach while Trump was playing golf.
According to federal prosecutors, a Secret Service agent spotted Routh concealed in shrubbery, leading to gunfire from an agent before Routh fled the scene. He was later apprehended after attempting to escape by car.
While federal officials filed charges against Routh, Moody argued that state prosecutors should have been allowed to pursue additional charges, including attempted murder.
The case now unfolds under a dramatically different political landscape. Trump won the November election, meaning the DOJ now operates under his administration. Additionally, Moody was appointed to the U.S. Senate this month to replace Marco Rubio, who became US Secretary of State.
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Although the motion and judge’s order did not elaborate on the reasons for the delay, the political shift raises questions about how aggressively Florida will continue to pursue the lawsuit under the new administration.
With the case on hold, legal analysts suggest that the DOJ may be negotiating a resolution with Florida’s new attorney general. However, questions remain over state vs. federal jurisdiction in cases involving high-profile security threats, especially those targeting a sitting president or major political candidate.
For now, the investigation into Routh’s motives and potential state charges remains uncertain as both sides continue discussions.
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