Sen. Ron Johnson Accuses Feds of HinderingTrump Assassination Probe
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson has publicly criticized federal agencies for their lack of cooperation and transparency in the investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
The Senate's report indicates that the tragic event in Butler, Pennsylvania, was preventable, spotlighting significant security oversights that effectively gave access to the shooter and obfuscations in the investigative process, something which Johnson has continued to decry, as Newsmax reports.
During an interview on Newsmax's Wake Up America, Johnson expressed his frustrations with the FBI and the Secret Service.
He outlined ways in which the Senate's ongoing probe has been stymied by these agencies withholding critical information and delaying necessary cooperation.
Details Emerge from Local Law Enforcement
According to Johnson, the bulk of details surrounding the incident have been provided by local law enforcement.
These authorities were quick to share evidence collected through body cameras and other recordings, which has been crucial for piecing together the events of that day.
It was revealed through these local sources that a bullet from Crooks's rifle narrowly missed hitting two Secret Service snipers due to their obstructed view, a detail that underscores the gravity and the closeness of the threat during the assassination attempt.
FBI's Handling of Case Under Scrutiny
Johnson pointed out that, despite conducting over 1,000 interviews, the FBI has only made available the transcripts from 12 of these, all of which involve Secret Service personnel.
This selective transparency has raised concerns about the thoroughness and impartiality of the federal investigation.
"We already knew that this was a spectacular failure by the U.S. Secret Service," Johnson stated, criticizing the federal response to the incident.
He also noted the prompt release of Crooks's body for cremation by the FBI, which Johnson argues is unusual given the circumstances: "The FBI said, well, it's standard operating procedure to release the body once we're done with it. Well, this isn't a standard situation," he remarked.
Johnson's Push for More Information
The senator has been vocal about his demands for more comprehensive disclosures from the FBI, including the full transcripts of all interviews conducted and the autopsy and toxicology reports on Crooks.
These documents, he argues, are essential for a complete and transparent understanding of the events and any potential oversights.
"You know, our candidate for president. We shouldn't be following standard protocol. At a minimum, they should have released that autopsy report, the toxicology report for experts to review to see if there are any further questions," Johnson emphasized.
Furthermore, Johnson is advocating for an expert testimony regarding the handling of the crime scene to ensure that all investigative procedures were properly followed and to assess if different approaches might have prevented the security breach.
Continued Calls for Transparency and Accountability
"What information we have, people need to understand, has primarily come from local law enforcement, from body cams, from audio and visual, from the public," Johnson shared, highlighting the critical role that local authorities have played in shedding light on the circumstances of the assassination attempt.
Johnson remains committed to uncovering the full truth behind the incident, continually pressing federal agencies for more openness and faster responses. His efforts aim not only to address the current lapses but also to prevent similar occurrences in the future by ensuring that all lessons are thoroughly learned and integrated into future security protocols.
"Those two snipers believe a bullet whizzed between them, and we've only been able to interview one of them, but his testimony is pretty compelling," he added, further illustrating the dangers faced during the assassination attempt and the importance of comprehensive investigative follow-through.