In an explosive report released on Sunday, July 28, the New York Times revealed that law enforcement was aware of Thomas Crooks, the failed assassin of former President Donald Trump, well before he made his move on July 13. An in-depth analysis of text messages, videos, and photos by NYT reporters sheds light on the events leading up to the attempt on Trump’s life, raising questions about the response of the authorities.
Tracking crooks: A timeline of missed opportunities
According to the report, local law enforcement agencies were tracking Crooks’ movements at least 90 minutes before he fired at Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The series of text messages analyzed by NYT provides a chilling account of how the failed assassin remained one step ahead of law enforcement.
Early warnings ignored
The text messages among local officers began almost an hour and a half before Trump took the stage. A police countersniper, distinct from the Secret Service countersniper who eventually neutralized Crooks, sent a message at the end of his shift: “Guys I am out. Be safe.” This message was directed to two other local countersnipers still on duty in the area. The same countersniper later reported spotting a “young man with long stringy hair sitting on a picnic table near the warehouse” of AG International, a location that would become crucial.
A description that matched
The NYT report highlights that the description given in the text message matched Crooks’ appearance. The local officer noted that the individual “would have seen” him come out with his rifle and “knows you guys are up there,” indicating Crooks was aware of the law enforcement presence.
Photos and alerts
Another countersniper captured photos of Crooks, which were subsequently shared in a group chat among officers. One message urged the team to notify the Secret Service: “Kid leaning around building we are in. AGR [AGR International building] I believe it is. I did see him with a range finder looking towards the stage. FYI. If you wanna notify SS [Secret Service] snipers to look out. I lost sight of him.” Beaver County Emergency Services Unit provided these messages and documents to Republican Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, who then forwarded them to the New York Times.
Planning and preparation
The report also revealed that Crooks had “scoped out the rally site” using a drone a day before the Secret Service did their security sweep. His online searches before the shooting indicated a chilling premeditation; Crooks sought information on the distance from which Lee Harvey Oswald shot President John F. Kennedy in 1963, as well as details about the Trump rally and registered for attendance. Other searches included inquiries about current President Joe Biden and depression disorder.
The final moments
Despite the early warnings and surveillance, Crooks managed to fire a shot that grazed Trump’s ear. It was only after this that a Secret Service sniper neutralized him, ending the threat. The New York Times’ detailed investigation raises significant concerns about the effectiveness of the law enforcement response and the potential lapses that allowed Crooks to get as close as he did. This report underscores the need for a thorough review of the incident and improvements in the protocols to prevent such threats in the future.