Quick Hit: 

The Department of Justice is facing backlash for releasing what critics call a "hit" on former President Donald Trump, after releasing a letter from Ryan Wesley Routh, who attempted to assassinate the former president and offered $150,000 to anyone who could "finish the job." Lawmakers and commentators have slammed the DOJ, warning that the release could inspire copycat attacks and increase the threat to Trump.

Key Details:

• On Monday, the DOJ made the letter public as part of a court filing to justify keeping Routh in custody on federal gun charges. The letter, addressed to "the world," read, "This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you... It is up to you now to finish the job."

• Routh was arrested on September 15th after a failed attempt to assassinate Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course. Secret Service agents fired on Routh after spotting him with a rifle, but he fled in a black SUV before being arrested.

• The letter's release has drawn sharp criticism, with Florida Rep. Michael Waltz questioning, "Why would the DOJ release a letter where an assassin puts a bounty on DJT’s head to encourage copycats?" Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene echoed this, accusing the DOJ of "offering a bounty on Trump’s head."

Diving Deeper: 

The Department of Justice’s decision to release Ryan Wesley Routh’s letter—where he admits to attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump and offers $150,000 to anyone willing to "finish the job"—has ignited a firestorm of criticism from lawmakers and commentators alike. The letter, submitted as part of a court filing on Monday, September 23rd, was intended to bolster the DOJ's case for Routh’s continued detention. However, many see it as a reckless move that could endanger the former president.

Routh was arrested on September 15th after Secret Service agents spotted him with a rifle at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. Routh fled after shots were fired by agents, but he was eventually captured on I-95 in neighboring Martin County. His vehicle contained six cell phones, gloves, and a list of Trump’s public appearances, suggesting the assassination attempt had been planned for some time.

Critics of the DOJ's actions, including Florida Rep. Michael Waltz and Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, have expressed outrage over the decision to make the letter public. Rep. Waltz asked, “Why put a bounty on DJT’s head in such a public manner?” while Rep. Greene accused the DOJ of essentially "offering a bounty on Trump’s head by releasing this." Sean Parnell also called the release "abhorrent and sickening," while The Federalist co-founder Sean Davis raised questions about Routh's finances, asking how he could offer $150,000 in the first place.

The FBI continues its investigation into Routh’s background and motives, but the DOJ’s handling of the letter has now become a focal point of the case. Many are questioning whether the decision to publicize such sensitive information was appropriate, especially considering the potential danger it poses.