Staff Reports
It has now come to light that a would-be assassin of former President Donald Trump, identified as Ryan Routh, left behind a letter that is raising eyebrows across the political spectrum. The DOJ’s decision to publicly release this letter has left many scratching their heads, including former Attorney General Bill Barr, who has called the release a “rash” move that serves absolutely no purpose other than to potentially incite further violence against Trump. In a world already rife with political division, one has to wonder why the DOJ even thought this was a good idea.
Details surrounding the letter are nothing short of alarming. Prior to his assassination attempt on September 15, Routh had entrusted a box containing various suspicious items, including ammunition and tools, to an unnamed witness. This box also contained his handwritten letter directed ominously at “The World,” in which he openly admitted that he failed in his attempt to eliminate Trump and even offered a shocking bounty of $150,000 to anyone who might succeed where he could not. Such a statement is less the rantings of a lone wolf and more like a flammable match tossed into a room full of gas-soaked fabrics.
Bill Barr 'Dumbfounded' by DOJ's Release of Trump Would-Be Assassin's Letter, Suggests Ominous Purposehttps://t.co/gxIbqaadxp
— RedState (@RedState) September 24, 2024
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has rightly criticized the DOJ for their boneheaded move, arguing that the release of the letter effectively places a bounty on Trump’s head through its mere existence. With political figures forgoing sanity in favor of outrage, it’s troubling to see how rhetoric can spiral into real acts of violence. In doing so, the DOJ has potentially turned this already dangerous situation into an open invitation for further attempts on Trump’s life.
For Bill Barr, the fallout from this irresponsible release raises an important question: what exactly was the DOJ thinking? The decision to disclose the letter amidst an election season rife with tensions and violence against a former president seems anything but prudent. It plays right into the narrative that some in power are not only willing to overlook potential threats but may even be interested in amplifying the chaos for political gain. Barr’s incredulity encapsulates what many conservative Americans are feeling, as it appears that the DOJ is more interested in sensationalism rather than safeguarding public figures.
In a period when political violence is on the rise, sending out a letter that outlines an assassination attempt, complete with an appeal to assassins, could serve to embolden any number of misguided individuals who may be inspired to carry out their vendettas. Routh’s attempts on Trump’s life weren’t isolated incidents—a pair of threats against a former president within a mere two months raises serious red flags. How many more “crackpots” are out there, ready to take Routh’s letter as a marching order rather than a warning?
Despite the pleas for a more sensible approach from conservative lawmakers and former officials alike, the continual missteps and lack of responsibility from the DOJ under Merrick Garland cannot be ignored. Every blunder, such as failing to anticipate and prevent these threats, is not just a minor oversight; they are fundamental failures that can lead to disastrous consequences. In a nation that is increasingly polarized, the stakes are higher than ever, and the DOJ’s credibility hangs in the balance as much as Trump’s safety does.
