A Republican congressman has sharply criticized the FBI for its handling of the body of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally on July 13, 2024. The criticism centers on the FBI's decision to release Crooks' body to his family for cremation just ten days after the attack, a move that Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) described as "disturbing" and a potential obstruction to further investigations.
The controversy came to light when Higgins, a member of the bipartisan task force investigating the assassination attempt, tried to examine Crooks' body during a visit to Butler, Pennsylvania, on August 5. According to Higgins, his attempt to inspect the body "caused quite a stir" as he discovered that the FBI had already released the body for cremation on July 23, a decision that neither local law enforcement nor the county coroner had been fully informed of.
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Higgins expressed deep concerns about the timing of the FBI's actions, pointing out that the body was released on the same day both the Homeland Security Committee and the Oversight Committee began their investigations into the shooting.
This led Higgins to question the FBI's motives, suggesting that the agency's actions could hinder the integrity of the ongoing investigations into the assassination attempt. He also noted that without the ability to examine the body firsthand, he could not be certain that the coroner's and autopsy reports were accurate.
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The congressman’s preliminary report, released on August 12, highlighted several discrepancies and potential oversights by the FBI. Higgins criticized the FBI for releasing the crime scene after just three days, a move that he believes prematurely ended the collection of critical evidence. He described the FBI's overall approach as a "scorched earth" investigation, which he argued could prevent a thorough understanding of Crooks' motives and any possible conspirators involved in the assassination attempt.
Higgins' concerns have sparked significant debate and raised questions about the FBI's transparency and procedural decisions. The FBI has not yet responded to these accusations, but the controversy adds another layer of complexity to the already tense political atmosphere surrounding the investigation of the assassination attempt.
As the investigation continues, Higgins has vowed to pursue every possible lead to ensure that the full truth behind the attack on Trump is uncovered. He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, particularly when it comes to such a high-profile case involving a former president.
This incident has reignited discussions about the FBI's role and conduct in politically sensitive investigations, with many observers closely watching how the agency responds to the growing criticism from members of Congress.
They (Gov.DemoRats) are hiding evidence. No doubt about it. Set up from the beginning. Then an emergency problem with his plane and also JD Vance plane, very very suspicious.