The F.B.I. is investigating the cause of former President Donald J. Trump’s injury during an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The bureau is assessing metal fragments found near the stage to determine whether they came from a bullet or other debris that grazed Mr. Trump’s head, resulting in a bloody ear.
The Investigation
The F.B.I. has requested to interview Mr. Trump as part of its broader investigation to gain insights into the incident and document his injury more thoroughly. The bureau is considering various possibilities for what struck Mr. Trump, including a bullet, a metal shard, or another object. The agency emphasized the importance of analyzing all evidence before making a definitive conclusion.
“The bureau’s shooting reconstruction team continues to examine evidence from the scene, including bullet fragments, and the investigation remains ongoing,” the F.B.I. stated on Thursday. The assailant, Thomas Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, also shot three rally attendees, one fatally.
Political Implications
Unanswered questions about the projectile that struck Mr. Trump have fueled political debate. Mr. Trump has asserted that he was hit by a bullet, framing his survival as divine intervention. Meanwhile, F.B.I. officials have maintained a cautious approach, focusing on thorough evidence analysis.
“With respect to former President Trump, there’s some question about whether or not it’s a bullet or shrapnel that hit his ear,” F.B.I. Director Christopher A. Wray told Representative Jim Jordan, Republican of Ohio and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. This statement triggered a strong response from Republicans, including Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung, who criticized Mr. Wray’s handling of the investigation.
Forensic Analysis
Experts suggest that the type of bullet fired from Mr. Crooks’s AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle could have fragmented upon impact with a solid object, such as a metal stanchion. While it is possible that a bullet grazed Mr. Trump’s ear, the F.B.I. has not ruled out other sources of debris. Investigators found eight rifle casings at the shooter’s position on a nearby roof.
Gun experts note that bullet fragments and trajectory analysis could help determine the cause of Mr. Trump’s injury. A detailed examination of bullet trajectories, along with footage, photos, and audio analysis by The New York Times, suggests that Mr. Trump was grazed by the first of eight bullets fired by Mr. Crooks.
Conclusion
The F.B.I. continues to investigate the incident, with a focus on determining whether Mr. Crooks acted alone or had assistance. While identifying the exact projectile that struck Mr. Trump is significant, it is not the primary focus of the investigation. The bureau aims to eliminate any ongoing threats and understand the full scope of the shooter’s actions and motivations.
The political ramifications of the incident remain significant, with ongoing debates about the nature of the injury and criticisms of the F.B.I.’s leadership. As the investigation progresses, further evidence and analysis will be crucial in providing a clearer picture of the events at the rally.
Contributors
Adam Goldman, an experienced journalist covering the F.B.I. and national security, contributed to this report, alongside Thomas Gibbons-Neff.
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