Tennessee Congressman Reviews Covenant School Shooting Documents, Praises FBI Transparency
Nashville, Tennessee, May 19, 2025 – Republican Representative John Rose of Tennessee has finally gained access to over 2,000 pages of documents related to the March 27, 2023, Covenant School shooting, where three children and three adults were killed by a former student, Audrey Hale. Rose, who reviewed the materials on Thursday, May 15, praised the FBI’s new leadership under Director Kash Patel for its “radical transparency,” a stark contrast to what he described as years of “stonewalling” by the Nashville Police Department and the FBI during the Biden administration.
The documents, primarily consisting of Hale’s writings and journals, offer insight into the shooter’s mindset, confirming some of Rose’s long-held suspicions about the tragedy. “They provide a great deal of insight,” Rose told Fox News Digital, emphasizing that the information should be made public to better understand the heinous act. “The public is entitled to that information, and as policymakers, we cannot be expected to make policy based on innuendo and supposition when the information is available,” he added.
The Covenant School shooting, one of the deadliest in Tennessee’s history, sparked intense debate over the release of Hale’s writings, often referred to as a “manifesto.” Hale, a 28-year-old transgender woman, left behind at least 20 journals, a memoir, and a suicide note, according to court filings. While three pages were leaked in November 2023 by conservative commentator Steven Crowder, prompting outrage from victims’ families and concerns about copycat crimes, the bulk of the documents have remained under seal due to ongoing legal battles.
Rose’s access to the documents marks a significant development in a saga that has pitted transparency advocates against those prioritizing victim privacy and public safety. Nashville Chancery Court Chancellor I’ashea Myles ruled in 2024 that much of Hale’s writings are protected by copyright law, a decision that complicated public access. Additionally, Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) and the FBI previously cited concerns about inspiring copycat attacks and protecting investigative integrity as reasons for withholding the materials.
The congressman disputed claims of MNPD’s forthrightness, stating, “I think they’ve just stonewalled,” and argued that the lack of access has hindered policymakers’ ability to address the root causes of such tragedies. Rose’s review was facilitated by Patel’s FBI, which he credited for a quick turnaround, noting, “It’s remarkable that in just a little over 40 days, Director Kash Patel has made this information available for us to look at.”
The documents’ contents remain sensitive, with the MNPD acknowledging the FBI’s contemplation of releasing redacted portions. Rose, however, remains steadfast in his belief that “there is no good justification for keeping most of the evidence from the public square,” a sentiment echoed in his X posts following the review. Victims’ families, including over 100 Covenant School parents who intervened in lawsuits to block the release, continue to argue that publicizing the writings could retraumatize survivors and inspire further violence.
The legal fight over the documents persists, with a federal judge ordering the FBI in March 2024 to submit Hale’s writings for private review in a Freedom of Information Act case brought by The Tennessee Star. As the debate rages on, Rose’s access underscores a shift toward greater transparency under the Trump administration’s FBI, though the full release of the documents remains uncertain amid competing concerns of public interest and community healing.