The FBI confirmed in a statement to The Pennsylvania Daily Star it released the body of Thomas Crooks, the 22-year-old who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump on July 13, which it stated is “keeping with normal procedures.”
A spokesman for the agency often accused of being politicized by the Biden-Harris administration told The Star, “Any suggestion the FBI is interfering with congressional efforts to look into the attempted assassination which took place in Butler, Pennsylvania, is inaccurate and unfounded.”
The spokesman stated the agency is working with local law enforcement to conduct “a thorough investigation into the shooting,” and maintained the FBI has “followed normal procedures in the handling of the crime scene and evidence.”
The FBI statement came one day after Representative Clay Higgins (R-LA-03), a member of the U.S. House committee investigating the assassination attempt, published a preliminary report that raised questions about how the FBI is conducting the investigation.
This preliminary investigative report is reflective of my determination to deliver full truth to the American people.https://t.co/0dqew07iZk
— Rep. Clay Higgins (@RepClayHiggins) August 15, 2024
Higgins was the first to report that Crooks’ body was released to the family, with the Republican additionally confirming the would-be assassin’s body was cremated, preventing further inspection by Congress or other investigative bodies.
In the report published by his office on Thursday, Higgins revealed the cremation for the first time:
My effort to examine Crooks’ body on Monday, August 5, caused quite a stir and revealed a disturbing fact… the FBI released the body for cremation 10 days after J13. On J23, Crooks was gone. Nobody knew this until Monday, August 5, including the County Coroner, law enforcement, Sheriff, etc. Yes, Butler County Coroner technically had legal authority over the body, but I spoke with the Coroner, and he would have never released Crooks’ body to the family for cremation or burial without specific permission from the FBI.
The FBI confirmed to The Star, “The shooter’s body was released to his family after coordination with the coroner’s office and our state and local law enforcement partners,” which it stated “is also in keeping with normal procedures.”
Higgins also raised questions about the FBI handling of the crime scene, which he wrote was “released” by the FBI “after just 3 days, much to everyone’s surprise.”
The Republican additionally reported, “The FBI cleaned up biological evidence from the crime scene, which is unheard of. Cops don’t do that, ever.”
In response to these claims, the federal agency stated to The Star, “Nothing was rushed and everything was documented as part of the investigation,” and acknowledged, “The FBI arranged for the cleaning of the location where the perpetrator died which is in keeping with normal procedures.”
The FBI recently executed a search warrant on Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) the day after his primary victory in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District. Ogles suggested the FBI action was related to amended campaign filings.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
