On Wednesday, July 24, 2024, FBI Director, Christopher Wray faced the House Judiciary Committee, answering questions from lawmakers about the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.
Wray’s testimony came a day after US Secret Service Director, Kimberly Cheatle resigned amid widespread criticism over the security protocols deployed for the Trump rally.
Republican Congressman Jim Jordan, the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said at the start of the hearing that multiple questions remained unanswered, including why all the buildings near the rally stage were not secured.
“We hope to learn more today from Director Wray about the shooter: his use of the drone, the explosives that were in his car, how he got on the roof and a host of other questions,” Jordan said.
He added, “It is our hope that Director Wray’s testimony can begin to give answers to the American people about all these questions and concerns.”
During his opening statement to the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Wray said that the shooting at Trump’s July 13 rally in Pennsylvania was “an attack on our democracy and our democratic process”.
“We will not and do not tolerate political violence of any kind, especially a despicable account of this magnitude,” he said.
“And I want to assure you and the American people that the men and women of the FBI will continue to work tirelessly to get to the bottom of what happened. We’re going to leave no stone unturned.”
Jim Jordan
The FBI says that it is investigating the shooting as an act of “domestic terrorism” and an attempted assassination.
However, the agency has not yet determined the motive of the suspected shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.
Some US lawmakers have been sceptical of the bureau’s assessment that Crooks left behind no obvious ideological motive that could explain his actions.
The FBI has largely avoided the same level of scrutiny directed at the Secret Service over security lapses that preceded the Trump rally shooting.
The FBI director and other senior officials privately briefed members of Congress last week, telling them that Crooks had photos on his phone of Trump, President Joe Biden and other officials and had looked up the dates for the Democratic National Convention and Trump’s appearances.
Wray Confirms Drone Recovery From Shooter’s Vehicle
Speaking to the House Judiciary Committee, Wray told lawmakers that the FBI had recovered a drone in Crooks’s vehicle.
He said that the agency believes the suspect flew the drone about 180 metres (200 yards) from the rally stage before the event began.
In addition, Wray testified that Crooks had two explosives in his car at the time of the shooting and one in his home, but likely did not have the ability to detonate them from the roof where he was killed.
According to Wray, the rifle Crooks used in the attack was purchased from his father.
“The weapon that he used for the attempted assassination was an AR-style rifle that was purchased legally, that he – as my understanding – acquired, I think bought actually from his father, who was the one who originally bought it,” Wray said.
Previously, officials said they believed the firearm belonged to Crooks’ father, not the shooter, and they didn’t know how Crooks accessed the weapon.
FBI officials have repeatedly asserted that they believe Crooks acted alone. On Wednesday, Wray reiterated that there is no evidence of any co-conspirators.
“I have been saying some time now that we are living in an elevated threat environment,” Wray said.
He added, “The shooter may be deceased but the FBI’s investigation is ongoing.”
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