Officer Withdraws as Suspected Trump Assassin Aims Gun

In a shocking revelation, an Associated Press report indicated that a local police officer retreated when faced with the would-be assassin of former President Donald Trump. The officer backed down after 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks pointed a rifle at him during the attempted assassination at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

An anonymous source disclosed to the AP that Crooks aimed his weapon at the officer, who was ascending a ladder to confront him. The officer descended, and Crooks subsequently fired at Trump, missing but causing injuries to others before being neutralized by a Secret Service sniper.

Key Points:

• Security Lapse: A local officer retreated when faced with the armed assailant, leading to a critical security breach.

• Bomb-Making Materials: Crooks had bomb-making materials in his vehicle and home.

• Weapon Acquisition: The AR-15-style rifle used by Crooks was bought by his father six months prior.

Bomb-making materials were discovered in Crooks’ vehicle and residence in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The AR-15-style rifle used in the attack was purchased by Crooks' father about six months ago, according to law enforcement officials.

Crooks, lacking identification at the scene, was identified through DNA analysis, the FBI reported. “We do not currently have an identified motive,” said Kevin Rojek, FBI Pittsburgh special agent, during a briefing on Saturday night.

Questions regarding the security failure were directed to the Secret Service, which did not attend the briefing. “They conduct the initial site survey and security assessments and determine security locations. They are in charge of securing the scene,” Rojek explained. “We support the Secret Service and their mission.”

Crooks’ father expressed confusion and a need to understand the situation before commenting further, telling CNN, “I’m trying to understand what the hell is going on.”

Authorities have enforced a blockade near Crooks' home to prevent media and public access while executing a search warrant.

Though Crooks was a registered Republican, campaign finance reports reveal he donated $15 to a progressive PAC on the day President Joe Biden was inaugurated in 2021.

This alarming incident underscores the need for rigorous security measures and raises questions about the protocols in place to protect public figures from such threats.

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