On Tuesday, Senator Chuck Grassley shared a video that depicted the aftermath of the shooting of Thomas Crooks, who had opened shot at former President Donald Trump. The footage revealed law enforcement officials standing on a rooftop beside Crooks’ lifeless body.
Senator Grassley demanded answers and accountability on X, in the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13th. The former president sustained a gunshot wound to the ear.
In a message posted on X, Grassley emphasized the urgent need for detailed answers regarding security failures. He stated that transparency is essential to ensuring accountability for these failures.
After the shooting and the eventual killing of Crooks, a person dressed in a black suit and sporting sunglasses is seen conversing with law enforcement officials who are donning body armor and carrying rifles in the video.
The officer indicates a rifle on the roof, but it’s uncertain if it belongs to Crooks.
The officer notes in the body camera footage that a sniper saw a person coming toward him on a bike and setting down a backpack, but it’s unclear whether this person was Crooks.
According to Grassley, Congress had requested the video from the Beaver County Emergency Services Unit, and it was obtained from them. The Beaver County Sheriff’s Office operates the mentioned unit, which is a specialized team trained to respond to high-risk incidents.
As of Tuesday night, requests for comment from the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office have gone unanswered.
Congressional members from both the Democratic and Republican parties are seeking explanations on how Crooks was able to carry out a shooting against a former president. In response to this demand, the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General has initiated three separate reviews related to the incident.
On Tuesday, Kimberly Cheatle, the Director of the U.S. Secret Service, resigned from her position. In her resignation letter, she expressed her willingness to take full responsibility for the security lapse.
According to a statement from a spokesperson for the agency, the Secret Service is dedicated to gaining a comprehensive understanding of the events leading up to, during, and after the assassination attempt on former President Trump. Their objective is to ensure that such an incident never occurs again. The agency has pledged to extend their full cooperation to Congress, the FBI, and any other relevant investigations.
It is yet to be determined what motivated Crooks.
During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Tuesday, it was revealed by Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris, the agency’s head, that Crooks had been flagged as suspicious prior to the shooting.
According to reports, Crooks was seen loitering around the venue without attempting to enter, which caught the attention of the security team. He was later spotted with a range finder, further raising suspicions.
According to Paris, the Butler County Emergency Services Unit was responsible for securing the building where Crooks was firing from. They suspected Crooks and even shared a photo of him with the state police, who then passed on the information to the Secret Service.
Paris stated that Crooks was not considered a real danger until moments before he began shooting.
According to two sources who are familiar with his campaign’s operations, Trump, who is now the official Republican nominee for president, has decided to discontinue holding outdoor rallies after the assassination attempt. The new plan is to organize indoor events instead.
