The Trump Assassination Attempt: Was It an Inside Job?

A deep dive into the timeline, key figures, and information that contradicts the official narrative.

On Saturday, July 13th, former President Donald Trump was targeted in an assassination attempt during a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. As more details emerge, it would seem as though this wasn't just a random act of violence carried out by a lone, mentally deranged 20-year-old, but something much more sinister. From security failures and the actions of the shooter to the suspicious events that surround the assassination attempt, this has all the signs of a coordinated inside job. Here's a deep dive into the timeline, key figures, and information that contradicts the official narrative.

Timeline of Events

6:02 pm: Trump Takes the Stage: Trump entered the stage to "God Bless the USA." 

6:11:18 pm: Trump Talks Immigration: Just over nine minutes into his speech, Trump started discussing illegal immigration, a hot-button issue for his base.

6:11:32 pm: Shots Fired: Shots rang out. Trump grabbed his ear and dropped behind the podium. 

6:11:36 pm: Secret Service Response: Secret Service agents swarmed Trump, shielding him from further harm. 

6:12:32 pm: Trump Stands: Despite being injured, Trump started to stand, bleeding from his ear.

6:12:47 pm: Defiant Gesture: Trump raised his fist to the crowd.

6:12:55 pm: Escorted Off Stage: Trump was then escorted off the stage and taken to an armoured vehicle.

6:14 pm: Motorcade Departs: Trump's motorcade left the venue.

The Assassination Attempt

It would seem as though the attack on Trump was not an isolated incident but the culmination of a series of suspicious activities and failures by those entrusted with his security.

Shooter Identified Hours Before 

By 3 pm on Saturday, roughly three hours before the shooting, Thomas Crooks, the shooter, was at the security screening area for the rally. He first aroused suspicion when he passed through the magnetometers carrying a rangefinder, used by hunters and target shooters to measure distances for a long-range shot. Witnesses reported seeing Crooks around the venue multiple times in strategic positions as early as 4:30 pm, long before Trump arrived. 

Crooks was identified as a person of interest by the Secret Service nearly an hour before Trump took the stage.

Despite these red flags, Crooks was able to position himself and fire shots at Trump.

Lack of Action by Security 

The fact that Crooks was tracked for over an hour before the shooting raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the security measures in place. Multiple rallygoers saw Crooks bear-crawling on the roof of the American Glass Research building and alerted local police just before the shooting (video below), yet he was allowed to remain in position.

A local police officer encountered Crooks on the roof but retreated when Crooks pointed his rifle at him. It was only after Crooks fired that Secret Service snipers shot him.

According to Tim Kennedy, a Special Forces Veteran, who has also worked security detail for the President, Secret Service Snipers have the authority to take out active threats without needing to seek approval from higher authorities. However, in his appearance on Modern Wisdom, Kennedy also noted that due to recent social movements against law enforcement, some agents and officers might be more hesitant to pull the trigger in such an event, fearing a backlash of public scrutiny for the slightest mistake in judgment. That being said, an individual lying prone on a roof with a rifle, with a clear line of fire to the former president, seems beyond a doubt to warrant action. 

The Vantage Point 

Crooks was able to bring a ladder to the event and use it to climb up the American Glass Research Building, which was just outside the official security perimeter and 150 yards away from Trump. This building, reportedly closed for the day, was the responsibility of local police, and had several officers inside at the time of the shooting.

The Weapon and Its Origin 

Crooks used an AR-15-style rifle, legally purchased by his father 11 years prior. This weapon is notable for its commonality among American gun owners and its effectiveness in a situation like this. The rifle's accuracy and power make it an ideal choice for a shooter aiming to cause significant harm from a distance. This choice of weapon, combined with Crooks' apparent lack of experience, raises further questions about who might have been guiding him or if he had received training from someone more experienced.

Bomb-making Materials 

Adding to the complexity of Crooks' profile, he was found with a remote detonator on him. Bomb-making materials were also found in his vehicle and at his home. This discovery suggests that Crooks was prepared for a far more devastating attack or had plans beyond the assassination attempt. The presence of these materials points to a broader conspiracy, possibly involving others who provided him with the knowledge and resources to create explosive devices.