Outrage! DOJ Withheld Key Evidence
The Butler assassination attempt that nearly claimed President Trump’s life has exposed disturbing patterns of federal stonewalling and incompetence that Americans deserve answers about—yet critical evidence remains buried by bureaucrats.
Story Snapshot
- House Task Force investigation reveals FBI and DOJ withheld critical evidence during probe of July 13, 2024 Trump assassination attempt
- Shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks’ body cremated within days without proper coordination with local coroner
- Secret Service failures deemed “preventable” as agencies excluded key buildings from security perimeter
- Local law enforcement fired first shots at attacker while federal agents faced communication breakdowns
Federal Agencies Blocked Congressional Access to Critical Evidence
The House Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump faced significant roadblocks from federal agencies during its investigation into the July 13, 2024 Butler rally shooting. Chairman Rep. Mike Kelly and his bipartisan team encountered resistance from the DOJ and FBI when seeking access to shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks’ devices, autopsy results, and detailed forensic evidence. This stonewalling occurred despite Congress’s constitutional investigative authority, raising serious questions about federal transparency and accountability when examining security failures that resulted in one death and multiple injuries.
Suspicious Handling of Shooter’s Body Raises Accountability Concerns
The rapid cremation of Thomas Matthew Crooks’ body within a week of the shooting exemplifies the troubling lack of coordination between federal and local authorities. Butler County Coroner reportedly remained unaware that Crooks’ family had released the body for cremation, a decision that eliminated physical evidence before the investigation concluded. The FBI identified Crooks through biometrics and DNA after his body was removed from the scene without proper identification protocols. This rushed handling of crucial forensic evidence contradicts standard investigative procedures and fuels legitimate concerns about preserving accountability in high-profile political violence cases.
Secret Service Failures Exposed Systemic Security Breakdown
The Task Force documented eight major security failures that allowed Crooks to position himself on an AGR International building roof just 150 yards from President Trump. Secret Service planners inexplicably excluded this obvious threat location from the secure perimeter despite clear risk assessments. Communication breakdowns plagued the operation, with no unified command post coordinating local, state, and federal law enforcement. Local Butler County Emergency Services Unit operators actually fired the first shots at Crooks, hitting his rifle stock, before Secret Service counter-snipers neutralized the threat sixteen seconds into the attack. These failures undermine confidence in federal protection of conservative political figures during an era of escalating political violence.
Unanswered Questions Remain About Shooter’s Motives and Preparation
Despite the FBI’s conclusion that Crooks acted alone, significant gaps remain in understanding his planning and intentions. The twenty-year-old shooter conducted reconnaissance at the Butler Farm Show grounds on July 7, practiced with his AR-15-style rifle on July 12, and flew a drone over the rally site for eleven minutes on the day of the attack. Investigators discovered he had searched for information about the “Oswald-Kennedy distance” days before, suggesting careful planning. Yet his actual motive remains unknown, and questions persist about how an individual with explosives, remote transmitters, and sophisticated surveillance equipment operated without triggering earlier detection from supposedly vigilant federal law enforcement agencies.
The Task Force concluded its work with a final report in December 2024, declaring the tragic events “preventable” and recommending sweeping reforms to campaign security protocols. While the investigation identified systemic failures across multiple agencies, the lingering questions about evidence handling and federal cooperation highlight ongoing tensions between congressional oversight and executive branch agencies. For Americans concerned about governmental transparency and the protection of political candidates—especially conservative leaders targeted by violence—this investigation reveals how bureaucratic obstacles can frustrate accountability even when lives hang in the balance.
Sources:
Preliminary Investigative Report – Rep. Clay Higgins
Task Force Interim Staff Report Chronicles Stunning Security Failures – Rep. Mike Kelly
Task Force Final Report – House Task Force
Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump – Rep. Mike Kelly
Rep. Mike Kelly’s Task Force Releases Final Report on Trump Assassination Attempt – TribLive
Final Report: Task Force Concludes Its Investigation – Rep. Mike Kelly