DOJ Publishes Letter by Alleged Attempted Trump Assassin Despite FBI Memo Policy Against Release of 'Legacy Tokens' | 23 Sept 2024 | A note purportedly written by Ryan Wesley Routh, who is accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump on September 15, was released on Monday by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in a public court filing. According to the court filing, Routh asked an associate to keep a box of his belongings. After the attack, the associate opened the box and discovered the letter, wherein prosecutors claim Routh confirmed his intent to assassinate Trump and offered a $150,000 bounty should someone prove successful. The letter was released publicly in this manner despite the FBI, which is the primary investigative branch of the DOJ, previously "strongly" advising Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) against the release of "legacy tokens" left by Covenant School killer Audrey Elizabeth Hale, who was a biological woman but identified as a transgender man during the attack where she claimed the lives of six. The Tennessee Star obtained a portion of MNPD documents related to the Covenant investigation earlier this year, including a May 11, 2023, FBI memo to MNPD that referenced "legacy tokens" and warned their release could lead to unintended consequences.