GOP launches investigation into DOJ intent behind releasing Ryan Routh manifesto

House Republicans have launched an investigation into the Department of Justice following its release of the manifesto left behind by Ryan Routh, the man charged in the second attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump .

The House Judiciary Committee sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday as the first step in its effort to understand why the DOJ published Routh's writing, adding that the decision to do so could "cause additional harm to occur," according to a copy of the letter shared with the Washington Examiner on Wednesday afternoon.

"During your tenure as Attorney General, the Department has generally refused to release details about so-called 'manifestos' written by the perpetrators of high-profile crimes," House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) said in the letter. "Yet, earlier this week, in a public court filing, the Department released a letter in which the man who sought to assassinate President Donald J. Trump in Florida on September 15, 2024, offered a $150,000 bounty on President Trump."

Jordan said Garland's decision went against the DOJ's understanding that "public access to legacy tokens," known as manifestos, “will contribute to further attacks” by “spark[ing] incredibly intense interest and study” by copycat offenders and providing a blueprint for future attackers.

Jordan said he believed the DOJ was already "aggressively and unconstitutionally" prosecuting Trump, making the decision to publish the manifesto questionable.

The DOJ will have until Oct. 9 to turn over documents and communication records related to the manifesto and its 2023 manifesto policy to Jordan's committee.

Police arrested Routh, 58, after he was spotted setting up shooting equipment on the edge of Trump's West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course on Sept. 15.

Routh was charged with the attempted assassination of Trump, as well as other federal counts for possessing a gun as a felon and possessing a gun with an obliterated serial number.

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The Department of Justice declined to comment on Jordan's investigation. But earlier Wednesday, Garland spoke following the DOJ charging Routh with attempted assassination.

“The Justice Department is committed to using the full force of our authorities to thoroughly investigate every lead and ensure accountability in this matter," Garland said . "Our nation has now experienced two assassination attempts against the former president in just the last three months. That is abhorrent.”