The congressional task force investigating the assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump in July and September criticized the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) for failing to produce requested materials related to the incidents. The task force sent a letter to the ATF on October 3 requesting various documents and select interviews with relevant agents involved in the assassination attempts. Despite this, the ATF responded inadequately with a brief correspondence on October 22, failing to produce any documents by the deadline set by the task force.
The task force expressed disappointment in the ATF’s response, describing it as “woefully insufficient” given the requests for physical documents and materials related to the incidents. The task force stressed the need for answers regarding how 20-year-old Thomas Crooks planned and carried out the nearly successful assassination attempts, including evidence found at Crooks’ residence and in his vehicle, such as explosives and materials to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs). While the ATF did not play a part in coordinating the events, they did assist in retrieving and investigating evidence connected to Crooks’ firearm.
The task force has set a deadline for the ATF to respond by November 13, urging the agency to provide the requested materials. The ATF stated that they are fully committed to working with the task force, along with other relevant agencies, to accommodate the requests. The agency has already provided a factual briefing clarifying that they had no formal role in the planning or security of the campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, where the July assassination attempt took place. The ATF aims to collaborate with the task force while upholding the Department of Justice’s obligations to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations.
Among the 17 requests for production, the task force is seeking all documents and materials related to the ATF’s critical incident response on July 13, 2024, including the discovery and investigation of the improvised explosive device found at Crooks’ home, as well as efforts to locate and investigate Crooks’ vehicle. Investigation into Crooks’ motive for attempting to assassinate Trump with an AR-15 is ongoing, along with determining why Ryan Routh, the suspect charged in the September assassination attempt, targeted Trump outside the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. Investigators are also looking into Crooks’ multiple encrypted accounts on platforms in Belgium, New Zealand, and Germany, to understand their purpose.
The task force remains dedicated to uncovering the truth behind the assassination attempts against former President Trump and bringing those responsible to justice. The assassination attempts in July and September resulted in casualties, with one attendee fatally shot and others critically wounded. The involvement of multiple agencies, including the ATF, in assisting with the investigation highlights the seriousness of the incidents and the need for a thorough examination of the evidence and circumstances surrounding them. Through cooperation and collaboration with various agencies and governmental bodies, the task force aims to shed light on the motives and actions of the individuals involved in the attempted assassinations of the former president.
