The Justice Department revealed a disturbing letter written by Ryan Wesley Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump. The letter was obtained from a witness who says they received it inside a box delivered by Routh several months before the attack. According to authorities, the witness only opened the box after learning Routh was a suspect.
Inside the box were several handwritten letters and ammunition. One of the letters, addressed “Dear World,” detailed Routh's failed attempt on Trump's life.
“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,” Routh wrote.
“Everyone across the globe from the youngest to the oldest know that Trump is unfit to be anything, much less a U.S. president,” the letter continued. “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].”
Investigators also discovered a book Routh authored 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 book again discusses a Trump assassination, this time calling on Iran to carry it out.
“In the book, Routh stated that he ‘must take part of the blame for the [person] that we elected for our next president that ended up being brainless, but I am man enough to say that I misjudged and made a terrible mistake and Iran, I apologize. You are free to assassinate Trump as well as me for that error in judgment and the dismantling of the deal,'” DOJ documents reveal.
Routh faces federal charges for possessing a firearm with a scratched-off serial number and for illegal gun possession as a felon. More serious charges, including aggravated assault for allegedly aiming a rifle at a Secret Service agent and threatening a former president, are expected.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Tuesday that the state will pursue additional charges, stating that Routh’s actions warrant a life sentence.
Read the DOJ Court filing here.
