Michael McCaul, the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, revealed that the shooter behind the assassination attempt on Trump aimed to distract attention with explosives to facilitate his escape, according to a report by Politico. FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before the House Judiciary Committee last Wednesday, disclosing that law enforcement found a drone and remotely detonated explosive devices in Thomas Crooks' vehicle. Wray also stated that Crooks had a transmitter, although remote detonation "was unlikely to work" from his location.
New Details
While the FBI remains unclear about Crooks' motives, McCaul, who previously chaired the House Homeland Security Committee, provided new details about the attacker's plans prior to the assassination attempt. McCaul told broadcaster Robert Costa on CBS's "Face the Nation" that "the attacker had a detonator and two bombs in the car." He added, "His plan was to assassinate the president, creating a distraction by detonating his car on the opposite side of the property so he could escape."
While several congressional committees are investigating the assassination attempt, the House voted unanimously last Wednesday to establish a bipartisan task force to also investigate the shooting.
Joint Investigation Committee
The task force, which will consist of seven Republicans and six Democrats, each chosen by their party leadership, is required to issue a report of findings by mid-December. McCaul stated he is unsure if he will serve on the task force but is willing to do so if asked.
It is noteworthy that Secret Service snipers shot Crooks after he fired an AR-15 rifle from a building 400 feet away from Trump, resulting in the death of one event attendee and injuries to two others on July 13. Additionally, Trump sustained a 2 cm wound to his ear during the shooting, with the bullet coming within less than a quarter of an inch from entering his head, according to the former president’s doctor.
