Staff Reports
Kamala Harris may be basking in the glow of her preordained nomination as the Democratic Party’s standard-bearer. Still, the rest of America is left scratching its head over the shocking events that transpired at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, back on July 13. As some obsess over political pageantry, others are hot on the trail of the truth behind the day a shooter decided to turn a political gathering into a shooting gallery.
Video footage has recently surfaced that shows a figure, presumed to be Thomas Crooks, darting across a rooftop prior to the outburst of gunfire that injured several and left the former President with a rather unpleasant ear piercing—though this one wasn’t your average trip to the doctor’s office. The recording, captured by one of the victims, James Copenhaver, showcases a man hustling on the rooftop moments before chaos erupted, leaving both Trump and the crowd shaken and one attendee, Corey Comperatore, tragically dead. While President Trump thankfully survived his close call, others were not so fortunate.
PENNSYLVANIA: SHOCKING: New Fox News video from a Trump rally shooting victim reveals how close Thomas Matthew Crooks was to Trump. The aunting footage captures a figure moving across the roof before the gunfire erupts. pic.twitter.com/oFztNgN3Jz
— KolHaolam (@KolHaolam) August 1, 2024
The footage brings to light vital questions about the security measures (or lack thereof) at the rally. Crooks didn’t just stroll into the event; he somehow gained access to an elevated position from where he could plot his assault. Perhaps local security and the Secret Service might want to reconsider their strategies for protecting a former president when they clearly dropped the ball this time. Local law enforcement knew about Crooks lurking about at least 90 minutes before he pulled the trigger, yet the breakdown in communication miraculously allowed him to carry out his plan.
Criticism has been swift, especially directed toward the Secret Service. Senator Charles Grassley has been vocal in condemning the agency’s failure even to attend their own planned security briefing with local police. It’s one thing to drop the ball; it’s another to leave the game altogether. This disaster has prompted a bipartisan investigation in Congress, led by House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, indicating even the opposition is acknowledging the blatant security failures.
However, not everyone is convinced this bipartisan task force will deliver the thorough investigation the situation demands. Representative Cory Mills has stepped up, emphasizing the necessity of a parallel independent investigation to ensure that the inquiry is as impartial as a campaign ad in an election year. With such striking revelations emerging, it is becoming increasingly clear that the security infrastructure for high-profile events needs a drastic overhaul—from the baffling lapses in judgment to the necessity of clear communication among agencies designed to protect public figures.
