Melania Trump Demands Answers About Attack on Her Husband at PA Rally
Former first lady Melania Trump has called for further investigation into the assassination attempt on her husband, former President Donald Trump, which occurred during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
The event, which saw Trump injured and others harmed, has left many questions surrounding the security protocols in place, and Mrs. Trump shared her concerns in a video posted to X, expressing distress over the attack and a desire for more answers, as Breitbart reports.
In the video, Melania Trump highlighted her frustrations over what she perceives as a lack of accountability and transparency from law enforcement and security officials present at the rally.
The Events of July 13 Unfold
The attempted assassination occurred as former President Trump was addressing a crowd in Butler. A 20-year-old man, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire from a nearby rooftop, striking Trump in the upper part of his right ear. While Trump’s injury was non-life-threatening, the incident left one man dead and two others injured.
Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief from Pennsylvania, was killed while protecting his daughter and wife during the attack. Two other men, James Copenhaver and David Dutch, were also wounded as chaos erupted when Crooks began firing from the rooftop.
Melania Trump Speaks Out
Melania Trump expressed disbelief that the shooter had not been stopped sooner, despite being spotted by law enforcement and security personnel before the rally began. In her video, she voiced concerns about the decisions made by security agencies that day.
“The attempt to end my husband’s life was a horrible, distressing experience,” she said. “Now, the silence around it feels heavy. I can’t help but wonder, why didn’t law enforcement officials arrest the shooter before the speech? There is definitely more to the story, and we need to uncover the truth.”
Security Concerns Over Rooftop
One of the major points of contention surrounding the incident was the decision not to place Secret Service agents on the rooftop from which Crooks opened fire. Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle addressed this decision, explaining that the agency deemed the roof unsafe due to its sloped design. This decision has since come under scrutiny, given that the shooter managed to gain access to the rooftop and fire on the crowd.
Cheatle stated that agents “had not placed agents on the roof because there was a safety factor associated with the sloped roof,” acknowledging what she said was a security risk but defending the decision as necessary for agent safety.
Shooter Was Spotted Before the Rally
In a startling revelation, reports have since surfaced that law enforcement officers had encountered Crooks prior to the rally. He was reportedly seen on the rooftop 20 minutes before Trump took the stage. Despite this, no action was taken to remove him, and Crooks remained in position until the shooting began.
Security officials even photographed Crooks twice and labeled him as suspicious. However, no follow-up occurred until after shots had already been fired.
Secret Service Training Under Fire
Adding to the controversy, Sen. Josh Hawley shared concerning details from whistleblowers who alleged that most of the Secret Service agents present at the rally were actually from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). According to these claims, the agents had undergone only a two-hour online webinar as part of their preparation for the event.
Hawley remarked that the lack of adequate training could have played a significant role in the security breakdown, leading to the tragic events of that day. The presence of less experienced agents raised doubts about whether the Secret Service had been fully equipped to handle such a high-risk event.
Further Investigation Demanded
Melania Trump has continued to push for more information about the shooting and the circumstances that allowed it to happen. In her video, she reiterated her demand for answers, stating that there were still too many unanswered questions.
The former first lady's call for a deeper investigation has sparked further debate about the adequacy of security measures in place for certain high-profile political figures.
Conclusion
The assassination attempt on Donald Trump during the July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has left many unanswered questions about security and law enforcement's response.
Melania Trump has raised concerns about the event and called for further investigation into the security failures.
Though the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was ultimately neutralized by snipers, the incident resulted in the death of Corey Comperatore, injuries to two others, and serious concerns about the preparedness of the Secret Service.
The controversy surrounding the event continues to grow as more details emerge, with many seeking clarity on what went wrong that day.