
A New York Times report has uncovered disturbing details about the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Secret Service snipers observed the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, for nearly two minutes before he opened fire. Despite increased security due to threats from Iran, a significant breach nearly resulted in Trump’s death.
Three social media videos documented the moments leading up to the shooting. The first video, recorded six minutes before the incident, shows a Secret Service sniper and spotter focusing north, towards where Crooks was positioned. As Trump began speaking, the spotter kept a watchful eye.
Another video, starting one minute and 58 seconds before the shooting, shows the Secret Service team using binoculars and a sniper scope to observe Crooks. An attendee is heard remarking, “Uh-oh, something’s going on.” Simultaneously, another clip shared on Facebook shows attendees pointing law enforcement to the roof where Crooks was located.
A third video captures a second sniper team turning from south to north, facing the shooter, one minute and 35 seconds before the attack. The team aimed their weapons but did not fire. Later footage shows this team in the same position as shots were fired.
These findings have raised questions about the security protocols at the rally. The rooftop where Crooks was positioned, less than 200 yards from Trump, was not cleared. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle explained that the sloped roof was deemed unsafe for sniper teams, a decision that has faced heavy criticism.
Initial reports mistakenly claimed Trump’s security detail requested more resources from Biden’s Department of Homeland Security due to the Iranian threat. However, despite heightened security, Crooks managed to graze Trump’s right ear, narrowly avoiding a fatal shot.
The incident has highlighted significant gaps in the security measures, prompting scrutiny over how such a breach could happen and what steps will be taken to enhance future protections.
These revelations have left many questioning the competence and readiness of the Secret Service to protect high-profile figures, especially in light of such clear lapses in security protocols.