Former President Trump Survives Assassination Attempt in Pennsylvania: What We Know About the Shooter and Security Lapses

Butler, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania United States of America
Crooks had previously worked as a dietary aide at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Pennsylvania.
Former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has stated that her agency will participate fully in an independent review ordered by President Joe Biden.
Security concerns have arisen due to the Republican National Convention attracting thousands of GOP politicians, delegates, and media personnel.
The shooter was identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks and was killed by Secret Service counter-sniper teams.
Former President Trump Survives Assassination Attempt in Pennsylvania: What We Know About the Shooter and Security Lapses

Former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. The shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by Secret Service counter-sniper teams after firing several shots towards the stage where Trump was speaking.

The incident has sparked intense scrutiny and investigations from various authorities and Congressional committees. Here's a closer look at what we know so far:

According to reports, Crooks had previously worked as a dietary aide at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Pennsylvania. An Allegheny County sheriff's deputy was stationed outside the facility but did not intervene during the shooting.

Security concerns have arisen due to the Republican National Convention attracting thousands of GOP politicians, delegates, and media personnel. The Secret Service had responsibility for protecting Trump at the event but did not sweep American Glass Research building where Crooks shot Trump from. Instead, they relied on local law enforcement for security.

Crooks purchased 50 rounds of ammunition at a local gun store just hours before carrying out his attack. The motive behind the rampage remains unclear, but some reports suggest that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presence at the rally may have been a factor.

Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has stated that her agency will participate fully in an independent review ordered by President Joe Biden and work with Congress on any oversight action. The investigation is ongoing, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming days.


Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image

Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • It is not clear if Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presence at the rally was a factor in the shooting.
  • The motive behind the shooting remains unclear.

Sources

100%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Secret Service will privately brief lawmakers on Trump assassination attempt

Politico News Site Name: POLITICO Full Legal Name of News Site: Politico LLC Location of News Site: Washington D.C., USA Monday, 15 July 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • Former President Donald Trump is under Secret Service protection at a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.
    • House Oversight Committee will receive a briefing from the Secret Service about the assassination attempt on Trump on Tuesday.
    • Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has been invited to testify publicly before the House Oversight Committee on July 22.
    • Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is conducting its own probe into the shooting.
    • Speaker Mike Johnson vowed for a full investigation into the shooting and invited Cheatle, DHS officials, and FBI to appear before House committees ASAP.
    • FBI Director Christopher Wray was already scheduled to testify in front of the House Judiciary Committee next week but most of Congress’s early questions are focused on Cheatle and the Secret Service.
    • Secret Service will cooperate with an independent review announced by President Joe Biden and work with appropriate Congressional committees on any oversight action.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

95%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Butler County DA not planning to file criminal charges in Trump shooting: Live updates

USA Today Monday, 15 July 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • An Allegheny County sheriff’s deputy was stationed outside Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation where Crooks had worked as a dietary aide.
    • Security concerns have arisen due to the Republican National Convention attracting thousands of GOP politicians, delegates, and media personnel.
  • Accuracy
    • Butler County DA announced no criminal charges will be filed against anyone related to the shooting of former President Donald Trump as gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks died at the scene and appeared to act alone.
    • ,
    • FBI is leading the investigation into the shooting of former President Donald Trump with determination of a motive for the rampage.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Who is Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle?

The Hill News Site: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate-seethe-republicans-call-for-israeli-elections/ Lauren Sforza Monday, 15 July 2024 17:40
  • Unique Points
    • Kimberly Cheatle was sworn in as the director of the Secret Service in September 2022.
    • Cheatle had previously served in the Secret Service for 27 years before stepping into her role at PepsiCo.
    • She had a number of roles, including serving as the assistant director of protective operations and managing a $133.5 million budget.
    • Before taking the reins of the Secret Service in 2022, she served as the senior director for global security at PepsiCo.
    • Cheatle has been invited to testify at a hearing on July 22 about the assassination attempt of Trump by House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer.
    • Cheatle will participate fully in the independent review announced by President Biden.
  • Accuracy
    • Kimberly Cheatle was invited to testify publicly before the House Oversight Committee on July 22.
    • Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has been invited to testify before the House Oversight Committee on July 22.
    • Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle will participate fully in an independent review announced by President Joe Biden.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Building Trump shooter used to fire shots at president was responsibility of local police: source

Fox News Media Jake Gibson, Monday, 15 July 2024 18:06
  • Unique Points
    • Local law enforcement had responsibility for a building where Crooks fired shots from.
    • One officer from the Butler County Sheriff’s Department saw Crooks armed with a rifle and retreated, prompting Crooks to begin firing.
    • Secret Service counter sniper fired on and killed Thomas Matthew Crooks after he began shooting towards former President Trump.
  • Accuracy
    • Former President Trump was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when Thomas Matthew Crooks fired several shots towards the stage.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

80%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Secret Service director says agency will participate in assassination attempt investigation amid questions over procedures

CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Whitney Wild Monday, 15 July 2024 12:19
  • Unique Points
    • Secret Service did not sweep American Glass Research building where Crooks shot Trump but instead relied on local law enforcement for security.
    • The shooter purchased 50 rounds of ammunition at a local gun store just hours before carrying out his attack.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position of questioning the Secret Service's security measures and procedures. The article implies that there were security failures without providing any concrete evidence to back up this claim. The author also uses emotional manipulation by implying that the shooting was a 'security failure' and using phrases like 'concerns and questions', 'among the concerns and questions', and 'demands answers'.
    • The shooter’s location was outside the security perimeter, raising questions about both the size of the perimeter and efforts to sweep and secure the American Glass Research building, and how the shooter was able to obtain rooftop access.
    • Republican and Democratic lawmakers are already demanding answers from the agency on the security posture...
    • Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas acknowledged that Saturday’s incident was a security ‘failure.’
  • Fallacies (75%)
    The author, Whitney Wild, does not commit any formal or informal fallacies in the article. However, there are some instances of dichotomous depiction and an appeal to authority. The dichotomous depiction comes from presenting the shooter's actions without contextualizing that he managed to bypass security measures, which might give a misleading impression of the situation. Additionally, there is an appeal to authority when quoting Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stating that Saturday's incident was a security failure. No other statements by him or any other individual are analyzed for logical fallacies.
    • The shooter, identified by authorities as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, also was killed by Secret Service agents at the scene.
    • A spokesman for the United States Secret Service told CNN the agency did not sweep the building where Crooks shot at Trump but instead leaned on local law enforcement to conduct security at that location.
    • This story has been updated with additional information. CNN’s John Miller contributed to this report.
  • Bias (95%)
    The author uses language that depicts the Secret Service's handling of security for Trump's rally as a 'security failure'. This is an example of bias as it implies that the Secret Service is incompetent or negligent, without providing evidence to support this assertion.
    • This story has been updated with additional information. CNN’s John Miller contributed to this report.
      • We are going to analyze through an independent review how that occurred, why it occurred and make recommendations and findings to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication