The House Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), has raised concerns about the public release of a manifesto authored by Ryan Wesley Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump. The manifesto, which promised a $150,000 bounty to anyone willing to carry out the assassination, was included in a recent Department of Justice court filing.
Routh was arrested on September 15 after allegedly aiming a gun at Trump while the former president was at a golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. Secret Service agents reportedly intervened before Routh could fire a shot. The manifesto, outlining his plan and the bounty on Trump’s life, was made public as part of the DOJ’s court documentation.
Chairman Jim Jordan expressed serious concerns over the decision to release this manifesto, calling it a potential danger that could inspire future attacks. In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Jordan questioned whether the release was in conflict with existing Justice Department policies regarding manifestos connected to high-profile crimes. “During your tenure as Attorney General, the Department has generally refused to release details about so-called ‘manifestos,’” Jordan noted.
Jordan also criticized the timing of the manifesto’s release, particularly given the DOJ’s ongoing prosecutions of President Trump, saying it “raises significant concern that the Department could cause additional harm to occur.” Jordan implied that the DOJ’s actions might further endanger the former president by providing a “blueprint” for others with similar intentions.
The committee is now investigating the Justice Department’s handling of this case to determine whether it adhered to impartiality. Jordan has requested all documents and communications related to the release of the manifesto, as well as the FBI’s May 2023 “Protection of Legacy Tokens” memorandum, with a deadline of October 9, 2024.
