WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — More than six months after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis first suggested state charges against Ryan Routh, he now faces state charges for the alleged assassination attempt of Donald Trump.
“We now have a federal government willing to work together to pursue justice,” said Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier in video posted on X, after his office filed attempted murder and terrorism charges against Routh.
WATCH: Former state attorney says move was 'cheap political stunt'
After DeSantis began a push for state charges, federal prosecutors wanted Routh prosecuted only in federal court.
Uthmeier credited the state’s ability to file charges with a change in presidential administrations.
“Biden and his attorney general sought to frustrate our efforts and block our investigation into the man who crossed into the state and attempted to commit political violence,” he said during his announcement.
I showed Uthmeier’s post announcing state charges against Routh to former State Attorney Dave Aronberg. He flinched when Uthmeier said, “Thank God we have Donald Trump as president.”
“Oh my God, I can’t…” exclaimed Aronberg. "You never saw me, as a state attorney, do a press conference where I'm saying, 'but for the grace of the democratic president...'”
Today, my office is officially charging Ryan Routh for attempting to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald J. Trump.
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) April 10, 2025
Thanks to the leadership of @AGPamBondi and @FBIDirectorKash, we now have a federal government willing to work with the states to pursue justice. pic.twitter.com/HFuI2W4tdx
Aronberg added this not should involve politics.
“This should be a prosecutorial function: follow the evidence, follow the law. It should be apolitical. It shouldn’t be about winning cheap political points. That’s what that speech was about. That was a cheap political stunt," he said. "Whether or not this guy, Routh, should be charged at the state level, that’s fine, sure. But the federal government goes first.”
I reached out to Uthmeier’s office offering a chance to respond to Aronberg’s statements. They have not returned my email.
Routh’s federal trial is scheduled for Sept. 8.
WPTV has been closely following this case since Routh's arrest last year. His trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 8.
WPTV's COVERAGE BELOW:
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