Donald Trump's campaign attacked Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing federal prosecutors of charging his would-be assassin with what amounts to a "slap on the wrist."
The Justice Department charged 58-year-old Ryan Routh with weapons counts to prevent him from being released on bail. More charges were expected to be added, prosecutors said during the morning court proceedings
But that's not sufficient, Trump said in a statement.
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"The Kamala Harris/Joe Biden Department of Justice and FBI are mishandling and downplaying the second assassination attempt on my life since July," the statement said. "The charges brought against the maniac assassin are a slap on the wrist. It's no wonder since the DOJ and FBI have been coming after me nonstop with Weaponized Lawfare (sic) since I announced my first Historic Campaign for the Presidency (sic)."
He then ranted about being persecuted.
Trump's comments immediately made MAGA followers believe it.
As former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance said the Trump folks "fail to understand the criminal justice system."
"Current charges were filed quickly so Routh could be arrested/held," said Vance. "DOJ will go to a grand jury and given the evidence they've developed, will likely add charges of attempt to assassinate a former or current candidate for POTUS."