New findings are emerging in Donald Trump assassination attempt, former US president and Republican candidate in November’s presidential election.
While the gunman’s motivation remains a mystery a day after the attack, investigators said they “believe he acted alone”.
Biden ordered an “independent security review” of the attack, which killed one bystander and seriously injured two others, and raised questions about how a gunman was able to open fire from a rooftop near a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
Shooter and police officer confronted before attack
The FBI is also investigating the attack as a “possible act of domestic terrorism”.
Two law enforcement officials told the Associated Press (AP) that the shooter’s father owned an AR-style rifle and that some rally-goers pointed him out to local law enforcement as he perched on a nearby rooftop.
A local law enforcement officer then climbed to the roof and found Thomas Matthew Crooks, who then pointed his rifle at the officer, the AP reports.
The officer retreated from the ladder and the gunman quickly fired in Trump’s direction, authorities said. Officials suggested that armed US Secret Service agents shot the gunman at that point.
FBI finds it ‘surprising’ that attacker fired so close
There are also many questions about how the gunman was able to get so close to Trump in the first place.
Kevin Rojek, agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, said it was “amazing” that the attacker was able to open fire on the stage before being killed by Secret Service agents.
Authorities said bomb-making materials were found in Crooks’ vehicle and home. The FBI described the devices as “primitive”.
What was Crooks’ political motivation?
US authorities say they still do not know the motive of the gunman, Crooks.
According to AP, Crooks was not on the FBI’s radar and is believed to have acted alone.
Investigators have examined Crooks’ social media accounts, but have not found any directly threatening posts or communications indicating an ideological motive.
Crooks’ political leanings are also unclear. Data shows he is a registered Republican voter in Pennsylvania, but federal campaign finance reports also show he donated $15 to a liberal political action committee on 20 January 2021, the day Biden was sworn in.
Clash between Republicans and Homeland Security Secretary
On the other hand, Republican Mike Turner, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, told CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday that questions have been raised about how the attacker was able to evade security at the rally.
Republican Representative Mike Waltz claimed on X on Saturday that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas had denied Trump’s requests for increased Secret Service protection.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi denied the “untrue allegation” in a message posted on X on Sunday, saying: “This is absolutely false. In fact, we have added protective resources, technology and capabilities as part of the increased pace of campaign travel,” he said.
Attack to be investigated by Congress
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson pledged on Saturday that the House would “conduct a full investigation” into the shooting. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said on Saturday that the committee had subpoenaed Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle for a hearing and requested a briefing from the Secret Service.
Republican Representative Tim Burchett called for congressional hearings into the assassination.
Burchett said Republicans should skip this week’s Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee and instead return to Washington to investigate the shooting.
In an interview with Fox News, Burchett said: “We need to go to Washington. The hell with the convention,” he said.
