U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley released a bodycam video capturing the aftermath of an attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump. The footage provides a graphic glimpse into the chaotic moments following the July 13 incident at a Trump rally.
The Epoch Times reported that Grassley took to social media to post the three-minute-long video, originally obtained from Beaver County’s Emergency Services Unit. This release followed a series of congressional requests aimed at shedding light on the event.
The video records a tense exchange between local law enforcement and a Secret Service agent, located at the rooftop site of the shooting. The discussion centers around the sequence of events that transpired during the rally.
Visible in the video are three law enforcement officials alongside the body of the 20-year-old gunman, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks.
The bodycam footage reveals that the gunman was already under surveillance by a sniper from Beaver County, who had captured and distributed images of Crooks prior to the attack. These details emerge as officers on the scene discuss the identification of the assailant.
"So, this is the guy ... that the sniper saw," a Secret Service agent is heard saying in the footage, pointing to the lifeless gunman.
"Yes, a Beaver County sniper seen [sic] and sent the pictures out, this is him," a local officer confirms, highlighting the prior knowledge of Crooks' presence at the scene.
Further inquiries in the video address an abandoned bike found near the rooftop, which officers speculated could be linked to Crooks. "We don’t know," one officer admits when questioned about the bike's relevance.
The footage also captures an officer questioning if the Secret Service agent had received the same photos he had, to which the agent confirms, "I think I did, yeah, he’s [the shooter] got his glasses on."
Additionally, the agent discusses two individuals detained for filming Crooks prior to the shooting, pondering their potential involvement in the incident.
The assassination attempt left one person dead and two others injured, including former President Trump, who sustained a 2 cm wide injury to his ear from a bullet.
This catastrophic security breach prompted immediate repercussions, with U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigning from her position on the same day as the footage's release.
Ronald Rowe has since been appointed as the acting director, tasked with overseeing the aftermath and tightening security protocols.
Senator Grassley's decision to release the footage was met with mixed reactions. In his social media post, Grassley emphasized the need for transparency, stating, "Transparency brings accountability." He further elaborated on the public’s right to understand the details of the incident in his press release, asserting, "This assassination attempt is a matter of significant public interest, and the public’s business ought to be public."
In her resignation, Ms. Cheatle accepted "full responsibility for the security lapse," signaling a serious acknowledgment of the failures that led to the incident.
The footage and subsequent resignations have sparked a broader discussion about the effectiveness of current security measures at political events and the responsibilities of those tasked with safeguarding public figures.
In conclusion, Senator Grassley's release of the bodycam footage has highlighted critical security lapses and raised important questions about the adequacy of current protective measures for high-profile individuals.
The video, showing the dialogue between law enforcement and the presence of the gunman, underscores the complexity of security operations during significant public events. The resignation of the U.S. Secret Service director underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for serious reforms in security protocols.
