Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) released bodycam footage from Bever County Emergency Services, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, that shows Secret Service agents on the roof where Donald Trump’s alleged shooter, Thomas Crooks, was positioned.
The video confirms that law enforcement saw the shooter prior to being located on the roof, eventually losing track of the individual, according to a press release.
It also confirms that law enforcement agencies shared images of the alleged shooter with the U.S. Secret Service.
Grassley said in a statement upon the release of the footage, “For the past 10 days, questions have only been building regarding the catastrophic security failure that occurred on July 13. Federal agencies, particularly the Secret Service, have failed to be transparent with the American people. This assassination attempt is a matter of significant public interest, and the public’s business ought to be public. I’m releasing these records as part of my efforts to get answers and hold agencies accountable.”
Secret Service agents are seen in the video discussing whether a bicycle located near the premises belongs to the shooter and if the images sent by snipers match the slain individual.
“I don’t know if you got the same ones I did?” the officer asks the agent, referring to the photos.
The Secret Service agent replies, “I think I did, yeah.”
The agents then discuss bystanders who filmed Crooks on the roof before running away when shots were fired, speculating if the activity means they were involved.
Warning: The video below contains sensitive content.
Grassley also sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe, requesting information and records relating to the Secret Service’s “operational security plan.”
He explained in the letter that his office obtained a “color-coded document indicating what appears to be some state law enforcement sectors for the Trump rally and the document notes each sector is highlighted by ‘order of importance.’”
“Is this document accurate? Did local law enforcement have the shared responsibility with Secret Service to cover the AGR building?” Grassley asked. “To better understand the full security posture of the event, the Secret Service must provide equivalent records.”
“The Secret Service must provide its operational security plan showing the locations and roles of all federal personnel assigned to secure the July 13, 2024 event,” he wrote. “Please provide answers to the following no later than July 30, 2024.”
