In a dramatic congressional hearing, FBI Director Chris Wray revealed startling details about the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, including the deployment of a drone and the discovery of explosive devices. The incident occurred during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, identified as the assailant, employed a drone to survey the rally site from approximately 200 yards away, around two hours before Trump took the stage. The FBI later recovered this drone from Crooks’ vehicle parked near the event.
Wray disclosed that Crooks managed to fire shots from a rooftop just outside the security perimeter, hitting Trump in the ear from a distance of 400 feet. Investigators also found three crude but potentially remote-detonatable explosive devices in Crooks’ possession, along with eight bullet cartridges on the rooftop from which he fired.
The hearing, which follows a series of intense scrutiny sessions involving various security agencies, focused heavily on potential lapses that allowed the shooter to proceed with his plan despite being spotted as a person of interest an hour before the incident. The scrutiny intensified following the resignation of Kimberly Cheatle, the former Director of the Secret Service, amid revelations of multiple pre-assault warnings that were seemingly not acted upon efficiently.
Amidst these disclosures, Wray emphasized that the investigation was ongoing and that all aspects of the attack were being thoroughly examined, including the possibility of accomplices. He also highlighted the broader issue of rising domestic terrorism threats, linking heated rhetoric and political passion to a spike in violence against public figures.
The session is expected to delve deeper into the intelligence failures and operational missteps that led to this close call with a former president’s life. The FBI’s ongoing efforts to decrypt encrypted platforms used by Crooks may further uncover motives or affiliations, which remain undisclosed at this point.
This incident has reignited debates over security measures for public officials and the politicization of national security agencies, with a bipartisan task force expected to be formed to investigate not only this incident but also a previously foiled Iranian plot to assassinate Trump.
As the nation grapples with the implications of this attack, the Judiciary Committee’s inquiry continues to uncover layers of concern surrounding the protection of its highest-profile citizens and the effectiveness of the agencies tasked with their safety.
