Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), House Foreign Affairs Chair, provided new details about the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. During an interview on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” McCaul discussed the motives and plans of the gunman, Thomas Crooks, who attempted the attack during Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Assassination Attempt and Explosive Plans
FBI Director Christopher Wray testified last Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee, revealing that law enforcement recovered a drone and explosive devices from Crooks’ vehicle. These devices were capable of remote detonation, although Wray noted that the remote detonation likely “would not have worked” from Crooks’ location.
McCaul shared additional insights into Crooks’ plans. “What’s interesting, Robert, is that he had a detonation device on him and two bombs in the car,” McCaul told host Robert Costa. “His plan was to assassinate the president, create a diversion by blowing up his vehicle on the other side of the property, and then escape.”
The Attack and Aftermath
On July 13, Secret Service snipers shot Crooks dead after he fired an AR-15 from the top of a building, located just 400 feet from Trump. The attack resulted in the death of one rallygoer and injuries to two others. Trump sustained a 2 cm-wide wound to his ear, with the bullet missing his head by less than a quarter of an inch, according to his doctor.
Secret Service Scrutiny and Resignation
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle faced significant criticism from both Democrats and Republicans for the agency’s failure to prevent the assassination attempt. Following intense questioning at a House Oversight Committee hearing, Cheatle resigned the next day. McCaul commented on the situation, expressing his concerns and his confidence in the broader Secret Service organization.
“I’m glad that Director Cheatle did the right thing and resigned,” McCaul said. “Each time you have an attempted assassination, that is a failure. And she said that herself. I think the agents are good. The problem is the President is under a lot of threats,” he continued, referring to intelligence suggesting Iranian plots against Trump.
Congressional Response and Task Force
In response to the assassination attempt, the House voted unanimously to establish a bipartisan task force to investigate the shooting. Composed of seven Republicans and six Democrats, the task force is expected to release its findings by mid-December. McCaul indicated he might serve on the task force if requested.
Conclusion
The new revelations about Crooks’ plans and the subsequent actions taken by Congress highlight the ongoing security concerns surrounding former President Trump. As investigations continue, the bipartisan task force aims to provide a comprehensive report on the incident by the end of the year.
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