Former US President Trump’s attempted assassination has shocked the entire country and the world, changing the political atmosphere of the Republican National Convention scheduled from July 15th to 18th. Trump’s lucky escape from the assassination attempt on July 13th is likely to become a crucial turning point for the 2024 US presidential election.
As the FBI, Secret Service, and Trump’s campaign team try to uncover what happened and why, a large amount of false information is spreading on social media. Before and after the assassination attempt on Trump, there are still key questions that need further clarification, and the event itself undoubtedly will have an impact on the 2024 election.
On July 14th, the FBI confirmed that the shooter who attempted to assassinate Trump is a 20-year-old man named Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Crooks worked as a dietary assistant at a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center in Bethel Park and had no criminal record.
According to The New York Times, analysis of videos, photos, and satellite images from the Trump event revealed that the shooter, Crooks, astonishingly climbed onto the roof very close to the stage where Trump was speaking, wearing a gray T-shirt with a black US flag on his right arm.
The shooter fired from the rooftop, less than 150 meters away from where Trump was speaking, a range where a trained shooter could reasonably hit a human-sized target. The use of an AR-style rifle similar to a military-grade M16 by Crooks raised serious concerns about the Secret Service’s security failure.
After the attempted assassination, Crooks was shot dead by a Secret Service sniper. Explosive devices were found in Crooks’ car near the event, and bomb-making materials were discovered at his home. The FBI is investigating Crooks’ personal information and his motive for the assassination, including his posts on Discord, a popular social media app for sharing information and interacting with others.
Crooks was a registered Republican but appeared to be disgruntled with Trump. He had also donated $15 to the “Progressive Voting Project,” allied with the Democratic Party. Several former Secret Service senior agents criticized the security failure, suggesting negligence or flaws in the security plan.
Stephen Colo, a retired agent with 27 years of experience, emphasized the need for a thorough review of the security plan to identify the mistakes. Timothy McCarthy, another retired agent, urged a deep investigation into the incident, noting that the building was compromised, providing an advantageous shooting position.
Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, Republican James Comer, contacted the Secret Service for a briefing and requested the Director Kimberly Cheatle to attend a hearing, condemning all forms of political violence as un-American and unacceptable, urging answers to the American people.
Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres called for an investigation into the security failure at the event, echoing the need to learn from such incidents to prevent future threats to national security, supported by Attorney General Merrick Garland pledging a thorough investigation.
The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, initially expected to proceed smoothly with Trump’s official nomination for the 2024 presidential race, faced uncertainty following the assassination attempt. Trump announced revisions to his closing speech, emphasizing unity amid the tragic event.
Trump teased an impactful speech, shifting focus from criticizing Biden to uniting the nation post-assassination. The moment was captured in a historic photo, circulating widely online. The choice of VP candidate JD Vance was unveiled early, engaging further attention at the convention.
Despite existing party divisions and anger, political leaders on both sides advocated for temperance as the election nears, leading to the withdrawal of Biden’s attack ads and event postponements by Harris and Biden in light of the attempted assassination.
Security measures at the convention were tightened, with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers urging gun restrictions within the event perimeter, emphasizing the nation’s rejection of political violence, while themes at the convention touched on economy, security, military strength, and Trump’s second-term agenda.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham expressed gratitude for Trump’s survival, cautioning against assigning blame solely to Democrats, urging a rethink of rhetoric and a path forward based on unity rather than animosity. The conventions continue, with parties adjusting their agendas in the aftermath of the traumatic event.