FBI Director Christopher Wray Testifies on Assassination Attempt on Trump
Washington—— FBI Director Christopher Wray is set to testify on Wednesday about the bureau’s investigation into the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, and lawmakers are likely to press him at a congressional hearing to provide new details about the shooter’s motives and background.
The hearing before the House Judiciary Committee will represent Wray’s most detailed comments yet on the shooting, which has once again thrust the FBI into a political maelstrom as agents continue to investigate 20-year-old gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks, the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.
The hearing was scheduled well before the July 13 shooting as part of the committee’s routine oversight of the FBI and Justice Department, and while lawmakers are likely to cover a wide range of topics, questions about the shooting are expected to be the main focus of the meeting.
Questions Surrounding the Shooter’s Motives
Although Wray was appointed by Trump, he has typically faced confrontational questions from the Republican-led panel, reflecting lingering resentment over the FBI’s investigation into potential ties between Russia and the 2016 campaign. While the FBI has avoided the same level of scrutiny over Secret Service security breaches that preceded the shooting, Wray is likely to face questions from lawmakers concerned about the bureau’s assessment of Crooks’ motives.
Investigation into the Shooting as Domestic Terrorism
The FBI said it is investigating the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, as an act of domestic terrorism and an attempted assassination. Trump’s campaign reported that the presumptive Republican nominee was doing “well” after the shooting, which he said pierced the upper part of his right ear. Details emerged that Crooks had conducted surveillance before the incident.
Wray and other officials briefed members of Congress, revealing that Crooks’ phone contained photos of Trump, President Joe Biden, and other officials. The investigation continues to uncover new details about the events leading up to the attempt on Trump’s life.
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