New Text Messages Provide Update on Trump Rally Investigation
Today, we’re diving into a deeply concerning event that took place at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. The security situation at this rally was nothing short of a disaster, with glaring flaws that are raising eyebrows and fueling conspiracy theories. Can you blame them? The Secret Service has been less than forthcoming amid intense scrutiny from lawmakers on both sides.
Let’s break down what we know. Thomas Matthew Crooks, a would-be assassin, nearly succeeded in his attempt to kill former President Donald Trump. Despite initial reports, it turns out that local countersnipers were aware of Crooks much earlier than previously reported. Text messages obtained by The New York Times reveal that snipers spotted Crooks over 90 minutes before the shooting, not the 60 minutes initially discussed in congressional hearings.
BREAKING: Leaked messages between countersn*pers reveal they were aware of Thomas Crooks about 90 minutes before Trump was nearly assas*inated.
One of the countersn*pers was reportedly leaving at the end of his shift when he noticed Crooks.
“Someone followed our lead and snuck… pic.twitter.com/bma8Pjfnye
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 29, 2024
Here’s the timeline leading up to the shooting:
At 4:19 p.m., a local countersniper finished his shift and exited a warehouse overlooking the rally site. Outside, he noticed a young man with long hair sitting on a picnic table near the warehouse. This man turned out to be Thomas Crooks. The sniper texted his colleagues about the suspicious individual, who had seen him leave with a rifle.
By 5:10 p.m., Crooks had moved from the picnic table to a position right below the countersnipers in the warehouse. One of the snipers took photos of him, which were later shared with the Secret Service. Crooks was seen with a range finder, likely scoping out the stage.
At 5:38 p.m., the snipers lost sight of Crooks. Despite being alarmed and sharing this information, the response was inadequate. Crooks managed to evade detection and climbed onto a building within clear sight of the stage.
By 6:00 p.m., officers guessed Crooks was moving away from the event, but he was actually getting into position on a low-slung building close to the stage. Former President Trump took the podium at 6:03 p.m., unaware of the imminent threat.
ABC NEWS: Trump rally SWAT team “found that there were no patrol officers around the area to try and intercept the suspect.”
What is going on?!pic.twitter.com/XOCUeIrEkO
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 28, 2024
The security lapses didn’t end there. Reports suggest that Secret Service snipers had Crooks in their sights for two minutes before he opened fire. However, there was no action taken to neutralize the threat. Local SWAT teams had detailed information about Crooks that apparently didn’t reach the necessary channels in time.
Crooks fired multiple shots, injuring Trump and killing Corey Comperatore, a firefighter and father. The incident left two others injured. The aftermath raised serious questions about how the Secret Service and local law enforcement handled the situation.
BREAKING: Bodycam footage from roof following attempted assassination of President Trump
Officer says Secret Service sniper took multiple photos of Thomas Crooks before the shooting. pic.twitter.com/E4dVx7SbwN
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 23, 2024
Adding to the complexity, Crooks had been planning this attack meticulously. He conducted aerial surveillance with a drone and scoped out the rally site before the Secret Service’s walkthrough. The American Glass Research rooftop, from which Crooks fired, was excluded from the Secret Service’s inner security perimeter. This critical oversight remains unexplained.
Despite these failures, no one at the Secret Service has been disciplined. The agency’s lack of cooperation with investigators only deepens the mystery and frustration. How could a lone gunman get so close to a former president without being stopped? The lack of clear answers is alarming.