William Barr Slams DOJ for Releasing Letter from Trump Assassination Suspect

Former Attorney General William Barr has criticized the Justice Department for releasing a chilling letter penned by would-be assassin Ryan Wesley Routh, calling the decision "rash" and "incendiary."

Former Attorney General William Barr has voiced his disapproval over the Justice Department's decision to release a letter written by Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspect in former President Donald Trump's second foiled assassination attempt. Barr, who served during both the Trump and George H. W. Bush administrations, argues that the DOJ's action was "rash" and served no purpose other than to risk inciting further violence.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Barr expressed his astonishment at the DOJ's decision to make the letter public. The letter, addressed "Dear World," admitted to an assassination attempt on Trump and offered money to anyone willing to finish the job.

William Barr Slams DOJ for Releasing Letter from Trump Assassination Suspect

Barr emphasized that the DOJ had sufficient evidence to detain Routh pending trial without releasing this inflammatory information. He also pointed out that the letter could have been redacted or submitted under seal to prevent any potential threat to public safety.

The former Attorney General believes that the DOJ's decision was particularly reckless given the timing, amidst an election cycle that had already witnessed two assassination attempts on Trump. He argued that the release of such material could potentially galvanize individuals with violent intentions.

William Barr Slams DOJ for Releasing Letter from Trump Assassination Suspect

Routh is expected to face additional charges in the coming days, including aggravated assault for allegedly pointing a rifle at a Secret Service agent and making threats against a former president, according to State Attorney Dave Aronberg.

The letter, which was obtained by the DOJ from a witness who received it in a box delivered by Routh several months prior to the assassination attempt, also contained other handwritten notes, ammunition, and miscellaneous items.

William Barr Slams DOJ for Releasing Letter from Trump Assassination Suspect

Investigators say they found a book authored by Routh in 2023, 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 detention memo also revealed that Routh had traveled from Greensboro, North Carolina, to West Palm Beach, Florida, a month before the Sept. 15 golf course incident. His cell phone pinged cell towers near Trump's golf course and Mar-a-Lago residence multiple times from Aug. 18 to Sept. 15.

William Barr Slams DOJ for Releasing Letter from Trump Assassination Suspect

A witness who saw Routh flee the sniper's nest made eye contact with him before he jumped into a vehicle and sped away. The witness reportedly photographed the vehicle and alerted law enforcement.

The Justice Department has not yet responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment on Barr's criticism.