Moody is suing the Justice Department over its investigation into Trump’s assassination attempt

Florida is suing the federal government over a Justice Department decision to block the state from investigating a second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

In a complaint filed Wednesday, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody argued that the state had a right to investigate because the attempt took place at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course, about 20 miles north of Mar-a-Lago.

“It is common for state investigators and prosecutors to work with our federal prosecutors and federal agencies in two ways and with different goals,” Moody said after Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on Sept. 17 establishing a state-level investigation.

Moody’s lawsuit against Attorney General Merrick Garland is based on a federal law that it says prevents Florida from participating in the Justice Department’s investigation.

She claims in her 18-page complaint that this violates the 10th Amendment, which protects state governments from federal overreach.

“Almost immediately, however, federal officials began taking steps to stop the state’s investigation,” Moody wrote.

“In conversations with federal officials and in subsequent correspondence, these officials have stated that Florida may not conduct its own investigation, may not interview witnesses, and may only cooperate with the federal government’s investigation.”

The Florida lawyer is calling for a federal judge to declare the Justice Department’s actions unconstitutional.

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