The House Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), is demanding answers from Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding the public release of the manifesto written by Ryan Wesley Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump. The manifesto was included in a court filing and offered a $150,000 bounty for Trump’s assassination if Routh failed to carry out the act himself.
Routh was apprehended on September 15 after allegedly aiming a firearm at Trump during an event at a West Palm Beach golf course. The Secret Service prevented him from firing the weapon, but the revelation of Routh’s detailed plan has raised serious concerns.
Chairman Jordan questioned the DOJ’s decision to publicly release the manifesto, particularly since the Department has historically withheld similar documents. In a letter to Garland, Jordan stated that the release could potentially inspire others, describing it as a “blueprint for future attacks” on Trump. He expressed concern that this decision may have put Trump at further risk.
Jordan’s letter also pointed to the DOJ’s prosecutions of Trump, suggesting that the timing of the manifesto’s release raises questions about the Department’s intent. He emphasized that the release could cause “additional harm” and asked whether the DOJ was truly upholding its impartiality.
To further investigate, the House Judiciary Committee has requested all documents related to the manifesto and other related communications, including those tied to the FBI’s “Protection of Legacy Tokens” memorandum from May 2023. Garland has been given until October 9, 2024, to respond to the request.
