Washington, D.C. – Former President Donald Trump has publicly condemned the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI for what he describes as the “mishandling and downplaying” of a recent assassination attempt on his life. Speaking out in a statement on Monday, Trump called for the state of Florida to take over the investigation into the incidents, highlighting his concerns as he campaigns for the Republican nomination against Democratic rival Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the November 5 presidential elections.
The most recent assassination attempt occurred on September 15 at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The suspect, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, a construction company owner from Hawaii, was apprehended in connection with the incident. In his statement, Trump did not hold back his criticism, asserting, “The Kamala Harris/Joe Biden Department of Justice and FBI are mishandling and downplaying the second assassination attempt on my life since July.”
He expressed frustration over what he perceives as inadequate charges against Routh, labeling them a “slap on the wrist” and suggesting that the DOJ and FBI have become obsessed with targeting him since he announced his presidential campaign. Trump raised concerns about a perceived “conflict of interest” within the DOJ and FBI, claiming that their long-standing pursuit of him compromises their ability to conduct an impartial investigation.
The former president referenced a prior assassination attempt on July 13 during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a bullet grazed his ear. He criticized FBI Director Christopher Wray for downplaying the severity of that incident when he testified before Congress, claiming Wray mischaracterized the bullet as “just glass or shrapnel.”
Trump further insisted that if federal authorities are unable to fulfill their duties fairly, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis should take charge of the investigation. “Florida charges would be much more serious than the ones the FBI has announced. The TRUTH would be followed, wherever it leads,” he declared, asserting that the justice system has become “corrupt and discredited” in its handling of cases involving him.
The latest assassination attempt has reignited debates surrounding the protective measures of the Secret Service, following their earlier admitted failures in preventing the earlier attempt on Trump’s life. As the presidential election approaches, the implications of these events on national security and political discourse remain critical topics of discussion.