Rep. Higgins Criticizes FBI Over Evidence Handling in Trump Assassination Attempt
In a recent revelation, Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) has raised significant concerns about the FBI's procedures following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
Rep. Higgins criticized the premature cremation of the assailant's body and the quick release of the crime scene, actions he believes compromised a congressional investigation, as Breitbart reports.
The incident that sparked this controversy occurred on July 13, when Thomas Matthew Crooks attempted to assassinate former President Trump, an attack after which the FBI's decision-making processes came under intense scrutiny.
FBI's Quick Actions in Wake of Assassination Attempt
By July 23, merely ten days after the attempt, the FBI had already released Crooks' body for cremation, unbeknownst to local law enforcement and the coroner. Higgins, attempting to inspect the body on Aug. 5, discovered it was cremated.
The lack of communication and transparency with local authorities raised eyebrows. Neither the Butler County coroner, law enforcement, nor the sheriff were informed about the cremation until it was too late.
Concerns Over Evidence Preservation
According to Higgins, the FBI not only released the body for cremation but also cleaned biological evidence from the crime scene within three days of the assassination attempt. This rapid cleanup and release were unexpected by first responders and lawmakers alike.
"The FBI cleaned up biological evidence from the crime scene, which is unheard of," Higgins stated, emphasizing the abnormality of the situation.
"Cops don’t do that, ever," he added, highlighting the deviation from standard law enforcement practices.
Impact on Congressional Investigation
These actions took place while Congress, anticipating the need for a thorough investigation, was already setting up its inquiry. House Speaker Mike Johnson had announced the formation of an official investigative body on the very day the cremation occurred.
"It should be noted that the FBI was fully aware of the fact that Congress would be investigating J13," Higgins remarked, referring to the date of the assassination attempt.
"The FBI does not exist in a vacuum. They had to know that releasing the J13 crime scene would injure the immediate observations of any following investigation," he further explained.
Questions Over Autopsy and Coroner's Reports
Compounding the situation, the autopsy and coroner's reports have been delayed. As of Aug. 5, they were still a week late, adding to the uncertainty and suspicions regarding the handling of evidence.
"I will not ever be able to say with certainty that those reports and pictures are accurate according to my own examination of the body," Higgins expressed, questioning the credibility of the forthcoming reports.
This skepticism was fueled by his inability to personally verify the condition of Crooks' body prior to its cremation.
Allegations of Obstruction by the FBI
"This action by the FBI can only be described by any reasonable man as an obstruction to any following investigative effort," Higgins concluded, clearly frustrated with how the events unfolded.
The congressman's remarks, initially made in a preliminary investigative report to Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), chairman of the "Bipartisan Task Force to Investigate the Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump," have ignited a debate over the integrity of the investigation and the role of the FBI therein.
"This pattern of investigative scorched earth by the FBI is quite troubling," Higgins noted, suggesting a deliberate attempt to thwart congressional oversight.
Summary of Congressional Concerns
In conclusion, the rapid cremation of Thomas Matthew Crooks' body, the immediate cleanup of the crime scene by the FBI, and the delayed release of crucial reports have all contributed to concerns about the adequacy of the congressional investigation into the assassination attempt on former President Trump.
These actions, as outlined by Rep. Clay Higgins, point to potential obstructions and raise questions about the transparency and effectiveness of both the investigation and the role of the FBI in preserving necessary evidence.