In a striking critique of federal law enforcement's handling of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, Sen. Ron Johnson has expressed his profound dissatisfaction.
The Senator, who is the ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, has voiced his concerns over the Justice Department's approach, which he describes as "jaw-dropping." He has also criticized the FBI, the law enforcement arm of the agency, for their perceived sense of being "above the law."
According to the Daily Mail, Johnson has raised questions about the swift cremation of the would-be assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks, following his shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Crooks, a 20-year-old, was shot by the Secret Service after one of his bullets grazed the former president's right ear during the attack on June 13, which resulted in one supporter's death and left two others critically injured.
The Senator's concerns stem from the fact that Crooks' body was released and cremated amidst an ongoing investigation into the events of that day, despite lingering questions from lawmakers. "I think the FBI, Department of Justice, Secret Service are doing everything exactly wrong," Johnson stated at Trump Tower in Chicago. "If you want people to have confidence in the investigation, it needs to be transparent."
Johnson's frustration is further fueled by the fact that the primary source of information about the events of July 13 is local law enforcement. Multiple congressional committees, including the one Johnson serves on, have questions about the assassination attempt and what could have been done to prevent it. However, Johnson claims that these committees are being stonewalled by the FBI, DOJ, and United States Secret Service (USSS).
The Wisconsin lawmaker's criticism of federal law enforcement is scathing. He believes that they view themselves as above the law and unaccountable to the American public, thereby avoiding scrutiny. "Personally, it's jaw-dropping to me that they would cremate the body before all the autopsy reports were presented to the public," he added.
Johnson's comments came after a press conference for Trump in Chicago, held on the sidelines of the Democratic National Convention. The Senator expressed his concern over the handling of the investigation, stating that it was causing suspicion among the public.
The details of the assassination attempt are chilling. Crooks managed to position himself on a roof a little more than a football field's distance away from where Trump was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Armed with an AR-style rifle, he took aim at the former President and Republican 2024 nominee. His car, parked nearby, contained explosives, and more bombs were found at his parent's home.
Johnson's team has requested that the agencies investigating the assassination attempt turn over interviews conducted with witnesses and those involved in security on the day of the attempt. However, their requests have been met with silence. "We haven't gotten squat," Johnson noted, expressing his frustration at the lack of transparency.
While Johnson's committee is investigating the attack against Trump, he fears that the probe is instead turning into an 'investigation of the investigation.' This lack of transparency and accountability from federal law enforcement agencies is not only causing suspicion but also eroding public confidence in their investigations.
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