Former President Donald Trump unleashes a scathing critique of the current administration's response to a recent assassination attempt on his life.
According to the New York Post, Trump has accused the Harris-Biden administration of "mishandling and downplaying" what he claims is the second attempt on his life this year.
The former president's statement came shortly after a federal judge in West Palm Beach ordered Ryan Wesley Routh, the 58-year-old suspect, to be held without bond.
Routh faces initial charges of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Federal prosecutors have indicated that more serious charges may be forthcoming. The incident occurred at Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach, where Routh allegedly lay in wait before being discovered by a Secret Service agent on advance patrol.
Trump's statement following the court hearing was particularly pointed. He expressed his belief that the charges brought against Routh were insufficient given the gravity of the alleged crime.
Trump said:
BREAKING: The Kamala Harris/Joe Biden Department of Justice and FBI are mishandling and downplaying the second assassination attempt on my life since July. The charges brought against the maniac assassin are a slap on the wrist.
The former president went on to suggest that the Department of Justice and FBI's handling of the case was influenced by what he perceives as their ongoing legal pursuit of him. Trump referenced various investigations and legal challenges he has faced, including the Russia investigation, impeachment proceedings, and the Mar-a-Lago documents case.
Trump's statement also touched upon a previous assassination attempt that allegedly occurred on July 13 during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. In that incident, Trump claims he was shot in the right ear by a gunman named Thomas Matthew Crooks.
The former president criticized FBI Director Christopher Wray for initially casting doubt on the occurrence of this earlier incident. Trump stated that Wray's comments were "disgraceful," especially given that the event was witnessed live by millions of people. He noted that Wray was subsequently forced to retract his statement.
In his statement, Trump praised Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for ordering an investigation into the recent assassination attempt. The former president suggested that if the federal authorities cannot handle the case impartially, Florida should take the lead in the investigation and prosecution.
Trump argued that Florida's charges would likely be more severe than those currently brought by federal authorities. He expressed confidence that a state-led investigation would follow "the TRUTH... wherever it leads."
The former president concluded his statement with a stark assessment of the current state of the justice system:
OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM IS CORRUPT AND DISCREDITED, especially as it pertains to the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. LET FLORIDA HANDLE THE CASE!
Former President Donald Trump has accused the Harris-Biden administration of mishandling a recent assassination attempt against him, calling the charges against the suspect a "slap on the wrist." Trump claimed this was the second such attempt on his life this year, referencing an earlier incident in July. The former president praised Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for ordering a state investigation and called for Florida to take over the case, expressing distrust in federal law enforcement's ability to handle the matter impartially.
