The Department of Justice has just released a letter that offers a $150,000 bounty for the head of former President Donald J. Trump. That bounty was offered by last week’s failed assassin, but now many are claiming the DOJ released the letter to continue to provoke future attempts.
The DOJ says it released the letter, in an effort to dissuade others from trying to claim the six-figure bounty.
In a chilling turn of events, authorities have uncovered a letter penned by Ryan Wesley Routh, the man suspected in a recent assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump. The letter, found inside a box delivered to a witness several months before the attempt, has stunned investigators with its contents—Routh’s confession and a bounty offering $150,000 to anyone who could finish what he started.
The Letter’s Discovery
The box, initially left unopened, sat in the possession of a witness who only became curious after hearing that Routh had been implicated in an assassination plot. According to law enforcement sources, the witness decided to open the box after Routh was named a suspect in the attack on Trump. Inside, they discovered ammunition, several handwritten letters, and other items that investigators are still examining.
But it was one particular letter that has drawn the most attention. Addressed to “Dear World,” it wasn’t just an admission—it was a call to action.
The Letter’s Disturbing Message
In the letter, Routh wrote:
“This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but I failed you. I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job.”
These words, haunting in their directness, left no doubt about Routh’s intentions. He openly acknowledged his failure to assassinate Trump and brazenly encouraged others to take up his cause, offering a bounty for anyone willing to follow through.
Routh’s letter also painted a picture of his motivations, which seemed to stem from a belief that Trump was unfit to hold public office.
“Everyone across the globe, from the youngest to the oldest, knows that Trump is unfit to be anything, much less a U.S. president,” the letter continues. “U.S. presidents must at bare minimum embody the moral fabric that is America, and be kind, caring, and selfless, and always stand for humanity. Trump fails to understand any of that.”
The letter has sent shockwaves through both law enforcement and the public. The prospect of a bounty on a former U.S. president is unprecedented and has raised alarms about the extent of Routh’s network and whether others might be motivated by his plea.
Routh’s Background and Radical Beliefs
Investigators believe that Routh may have been deeply influenced by his own political and philosophical writings. In 2023, he published a controversial book titled Ukraine’s Unwinnable War: The Fatal Flaw of Democracy, World Abandonment and the Global Citizen-Taiwan, Afghanistan, North Korea, WWIII, and the End of Humanity. The book outlines his bleak worldview, particularly regarding global politics, democracy, and the future of world order.
Though the book received little attention at the time of its release, authorities now suspect it may offer clues into Routh’s radicalization. His writing seems to intertwine personal beliefs with a broader sense of disillusionment with political leadership, particularly his criticisms of Trump and democratic institutions.
The Assassination Attempt
While details of Routh’s assassination attempt remain under investigation, it is clear that he came dangerously close to achieving his goal. Authorities have been tight-lipped about the exact circumstances, but reports indicate that the attempt was thwarted just in time, leaving Trump unharmed.
Routh has since been taken into custody, and law enforcement is working to uncover whether he had any accomplices or if there are others willing to act on his bounty offer.
He has been charged only on firearms possession violations. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says federal authorities are hindering Florida’s right to investigate the crime at a state level to levy further charges.
The Investigation Continues
As the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI work together on the case, the discovery of this letter has shifted the investigation into high gear. Authorities are now racing against time to ensure that Routh’s disturbing call to action does not inspire others to carry out violent acts. The $150,000 bounty, though likely untraceable, adds a dangerous element to an already volatile situation.
“We are treating this threat with the utmost seriousness,” said an unnamed DOJ official. “Any act of violence against a former president or any government official is an attack on democracy itself.”
Law enforcement agencies have heightened security measures around Trump and are investigating whether any other individuals have expressed interest in fulfilling Routh’s deadly offer. Meanwhile, legal experts suggest Routh could face multiple charges, including attempted assassination, conspiracy, and incitement of violence.
A Dark Warning
The case of Ryan Wesley Routh stands as a stark reminder of the growing polarization and extreme actions some individuals are willing to take in the current political climate. His letter, a twisted manifesto calling for violence, has shocked many, leaving Americans grappling with the depths of division that could lead someone to target a former president.
For now, the investigation continues, and authorities hope that swift action will prevent Routh’s bounty from sparking further violence.
