The gunman who nearly killed former President Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last month used encrypted messaging platforms based in Belgium, New Zealand, and Germany, according to a House representative on a congressional task force investigating the incident.
Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Green Beret and member of the 13-member bipartisan House task force, revealed details about the accounts while speaking at the Trump Hotel Chicago on Wednesday.
When asked about the investigation and the encrypted messages found on the shooter’s phone, Waltz noted that there is still much to learn. “We haven’t learned that much about those overseas accounts,” he said, referencing accounts linked to the would-be assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks. “They were located in Belgium, New Zealand, and Germany.”
Waltz questioned why a 19-year-old health care aide would need encrypted platforms based outside the United States, suggesting that it complicates law enforcement efforts. “That’s a question I’ve had since day one,” he stated.
He then criticised the FBI and Secret Service for withholding information until their investigations are complete. “They need to release information as they come across it, because this wasn’t an isolated incident,” Waltz commented. He mentioned ongoing threats from Iran and an alleged plot by a Pakistani national to kill Trump and other U.S. officials.
On Wednesday, the FBI is scheduled to brief task force members, which Waltz hopes will shed light on what he called the “ridiculously flawed” security at the Trump rally in Butler on July 13, 2024.
The FBI, Secret Service, and the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General are all conducting investigations into the assassination attempt.
During the rally, Crooks opened fire on the main stage, grazing Trump’s ear with a bullet. He also killed attendee Corey Comperatore, 50, and wounded David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 54.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Reuters reports that Thomas Crooks, the gunman who shot Trump, leaves behind many mysteries, including his intense online activity and lack of social media presence.(read more)
- CBS News provides an overview of the online activity and investigations following the Trump rally shooting. Lawmakers were briefed on the gunman’s searches, visits to the rally site, and online content, including a screenshot of the rally just before the shooting. The investigation faces challenges accessing encrypted platforms and determining the shooter’s motive and political leanings.(read more)
- FOX News reports on Rep. Michael Waltz’s (R-Fla.) claims about Thomas Matthew Crooks’ three overseas encrypted accounts and potential Iranian involvement in the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened at the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania?
A gunman opened fire, grazing Trump’s ear, killing one attendee, and wounding two others.
Who is investigating the assassination attempt on Trump?
The FBI, Secret Service, and the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General.
What did Rep. Mike Waltz say about the gunman’s encrypted accounts?
They were based in Belgium, New Zealand, and Germany, raising questions about their necessity.
Why is Rep. Waltz critical of the FBI and Secret Service?
He believes they should release information as they find it, rather than waiting until the investigation is complete.
What other plot did Waltz mention during his briefing?
An alleged plot by a Pakistani national to kill Trump and other U.S. officials.