Security Lapses and FBI Decisions Spark Controversy After Shooting at Trump Rally

On July 13, 2024, a tragic shooting unfolded at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where former President Donald Trump was wounded, one attendee lost their life, and two others were critically injured. The shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, gained access to a nearby rooftop, giving him a clear line of sight to Trump.

The incident exposed lapses in Secret Service protocols, leading to intense scrutiny of the security measures in place. The controversy deepened when the FBI returned Crooks’ body to his family, sparking criticism and fueling conspiracy theories. An investigative report published in August 2024 by Louisiana Representative Clay Higgins added fuel to the fire. Higgins, who had tried to examine Crooks’ body, reported significant resistance.

“My effort to examine Crooks’ body on Monday, August 5, caused quite a stir and revealed a disturbing fact,” Higgins said, as reported by Grunge. “The FBI released the body for cremation 10 days after [July 13]. On [July 23], Crooks was gone. Nobody knew this until Monday, August 5, including the County Coroner, law enforcement, Sheriff, etc.” Higgins argued that the FBI’s handling of the body and the rapid cremation interfered with a thorough investigation.

Higgins also raised concerns about the timing of the FBI’s decision to release the body, noting that on the day Crooks was cremated, both the Homeland Security Committee and the Oversight Committee had begun investigations into the July 13 shooting. He questioned why biological evidence was removed from the crime scene so swiftly, a decision he believes could compromise the ongoing investigation.

Conversations with first responders only added to Higgins’ concerns. He recounted that responders were shocked and suspicious of the FBI’s choice to clear the area just three days after the incident. According to Higgins, Crooks had positioned himself strategically on a rooftop, likely to avoid counter-fire from security personnel on the ground. Crooks fired eight shots before a Butler SWAT officer intervened, disabling his rifle by hitting its buffer tube.

The shooting also gave rise to conspiracy theories on social media, with some users falsely claiming there was a second shooter. Despite these claims, CBS News reported that there was no evidence of a second shooter. Higgins, however, has yet to rule out the possibility, leaving room for speculation to persist.

In response to the backlash, the FBI publicly denied all of Higgins’ accusations. The agency stated that the return of Crooks’ body to his family was carried out in coordination with the coroner’s office and local law enforcement, in line with standard procedures. FBI officials further explained that the crime scene had been thoroughly processed before being handed back to the property owners. They assured the public that every step had been documented, and the area was cleaned following established protocols.

The FBI’s response has done little to quell the controversy. Higgins and others remain skeptical, questioning the speed and transparency of the investigation. As further inquiries from Congressional committees continue, the debate surrounding the FBI’s decisions and the security oversights on July 13 may remain in the spotlight, adding to the complexity of an already tragic incident, as reported by Fox News.