Garland Defends Releasing Letter From Suspect in Trump Assassination Attempt

Attorney General Merrick Garland defended Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors’ decision to release a letter allegedly penned by Ryan Routh, the suspect charged with attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump, following criticism over its release because it included the promise of a bounty to anyone who succeeds in killing Trump.
In his response to the question, Garland defended the prosecutors’ actions, calling the decision “reasonable” and consistent with the department’s goal of securing Routh’s detention.
“Our first job with respect to Routh was ensuring that he be detained,” Garland said. “And when you file a detention motion, the prosecutors have to make the most reasonable judgment they can about what evidence is necessary to ensure detention. That’s their goal.”
The letter, which was addressed “to the world,” said that the effort was “an assassination attempt on Donald Trump” and offered a $150,000 bounty to someone who could “complete the job.”
Officials have said that the alleged assassination attempt was thwarted by a U.S. Secret Service agent who saw the suspect’s rifle in the bushes near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach while he was golfing. The agent then fired in the suspect’s direction, forcing him to flee, authorities have said.
While the letter was meant to bolster the DOJ’s contention that the 58-year-old suspect had engaged in a premeditated plan to assassinate Trump, critics have contended that its release was irresponsible because it contained the offer of a bounty, which they said could put the former president in more danger.
“The letter … attempts to rouse people in incendiary terms” to take action against Trump, Barr said. “There was no apparent justification for releasing this information at this stage. It served no purpose other than to risk inciting further violence.”
If convicted, Routh could face life imprisonment.