In the wake of the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, a joint bulletin from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been issued, cautioning about the potential for subsequent or retaliatory acts of violence against political figures.
The incident occurred at a campaign rally on Saturday, sparking concerns about the safety of public political events.
As reported by American Military News, the bulletin, initially obtained by Politico, expressed the agencies' apprehension about the potential for further violence. It stated, The FBI and DHS remain concerned about the potential for follow-on or retaliatory acts of violence following this attack, particularly given that individuals in some online communities have threatened, encouraged, or referenced acts of violence in response to the attempted assassination. The document further warned that lone actors or small groups are likely to continue to view publicly accessible locations like political rallies and campaign events as attractive targets.
The bulletin revealed that the alleged assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks, had procured 50 rounds of ammunition from a gun shop in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, prior to the Saturday shooting. The FBI also uncovered three suspected improvised explosive devices, two in Crooks's vehicle and one at his residence. A review of Crooks's shipping history indicated that he had received multiple packages over the past several months, some of which may have contained hazardous material.
The attempted assassination of Trump, according to the FBI and DHS, reinforces our assessment that election-related targets are under a heightened threat of attack or other types of disruptive incidents. The agencies have observed disruptive tactics against targets related to the 2024 US general election cycle, similar to those used in the past two election cycles. These tactics include false bomb threats, doxing, swatting, and white powder letters sent to election officials.
While the motives behind these disruptive tactics often remain unclear, officials suggest that they are designed to intimidate and disrupt election operations.
The bulletin images were shared on X, formerly Twitter, by journalist Catherine Herridge.
An FBI source, speaking to Fox News, emphasized the ongoing threat to the electoral process, stating, We continue to face very real threats from those who seek to undermine our elections. The FBI remains vigilant in our efforts to detect and assess possible threats and, as always, we encourage the public to promptly report suspicious activities which could represent a threat to public safety.
The recent assassination attempt on former President Trump underscores the need for heightened vigilance and security measures in the face of potential threats to political figures and the electoral process. The FBI and DHS continue to monitor and assess these threats, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in reporting suspicious activities.
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