The FBI’s handling of the July 13 assassination attempt on President Donald Trump has come under fire following revelations from Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA). In a preliminary report, Higgins detailed actions by the FBI that he described as “unheard of” in standard law enforcement practices. The most troubling of these actions was the premature release and cremation of the shooter’s body, which Higgins claims obstructed further investigation.
According to the report, the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired eight shots from a rooftop during Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Despite strategic positioning to avoid detection by security teams, Crooks was eventually neutralized by a combination of ground forces and a Secret Service sniper.
Higgins noted that when he attempted to examine the body on August 5, he discovered it had already been released for cremation by the FBI. Local officials, including the coroner, were reportedly unaware of this decision. “The body was gone before anyone could properly investigate,” Higgins said, adding that the FBI’s actions have made it impossible to verify the accuracy of the coroner’s report.
Additionally, the report criticized the FBI for cleaning up biological evidence from the scene, a move that law enforcement experts say is highly irregular. The FBI, however, maintains that all procedures were followed correctly and that they coordinated closely with the coroner’s office.
The Secret Service is also facing scrutiny over communication failures during the event, with reports that key radios were left behind. The agency has launched an internal review to assess these claims and ensure accountability.
As this investigation continues, Higgins has vowed to uncover the full truth and hold those responsible accountable. The task force is expected to release a comprehensive report later this year.
