Former President Donald J. Trump has agreed to be interviewed by the F.B.I. as part of its investigation into the motives of the 20-year-old man who attempted to assassinate him during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on July 13. The bureau officials stated that they want to get Trump’s perspective on what he observed, like any other witness. This interview is considered a standard victim interview, similar to what they would do with any other witness.
The F.B.I. provided a detailed portrait of the shooter, Thomas Crooks, revealing that he carefully concealed over two dozen online purchases of weapons and explosives using aliases. The gunman had also gathered information on other assassination attempts, including the shooting of the prime minister of Slovakia in May. The investigation also revealed a lost opportunity to stop Mr. Crooks when a local law enforcement officer dropped down from the warehouse roof where the shooter was positioned, just before the attack.
The F.B.I. has been facing criticism for not definitively determining the cause of the minor injury to Trump’s ear. However, by the end of the week, they confirmed that it was caused by a bullet or a fragment of one. The bureau officials stated that they are providing investigative details to combat conspiracy theories and misinformation. The investigation is focused on determining if the shooter was motivated by political animus and if he was part of a larger conspiracy.
So far, the F.B.I. has not found any evidence to suggest that the shooter was part of a larger conspiracy. They stated that Mr. Crooks had few contacts outside of his immediate family and did not interact much with others, even on gaming platforms. The officials believe that he was a loner.
Overall, the F.B.I. is continuing its investigation to understand the motives behind the attempted assassination and to determine if there was any political motivation involved. The interview with former President Trump is a crucial part of this investigation, as it will provide valuable insights into what he observed during the incident. The bureau aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the events surrounding the attempted assassination and to ensure that justice is served.
