United States intelligence agencies had information about a plot to assassinate former president and Republican candidate Donald Trump weeks before last Saturday’s attack, sources familiar with the matter told the Spanish agency Efe on Tuesday (07/16/2024).
However, the sources clarified that there is no connection between this Iranian plan and the assassination attempt on Trump, which took place at a rally in Butler (Pennsylvania), when a 20-year-old man opened fire on the former president, wounding him, biting off the ear and killing one of the people who attended the event.
Although there is no apparent connection, at the time of the attack the Secret Service had beefed up the former president’s security because of threats from Iran, as these sources detailed.
Questions remain as to why the additional measures implemented because of the Iranian plot did not prevent the attacker, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, from climbing to the roof and firing multiple shots before being shot dead by Secret Service agents.
Adrienne Watson, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council, revealed that Iran has been threatening US officials for years to take revenge for the attack, which was ordered by Trump in 2020 and which killed General Qassem Soleimani, the former head of the Quds Force. Guard. Iranian Revolutionary.
“Iran wants revenge”
Because of these threats, former senior Trump administration officials involved in that operation still have escorts. These include former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former White House National Security Adviser John Bolton.
“As we have said on numerous occasions, we have been monitoring Iranian threats against former Trump administration officials for years. These threats stem from Iran’s desire to avenge the death of Qassem Soleimani. We consider this national security matter of the highest priority,” Watson stressed, as quoted by the US agency AP.
The spokesperson also assured that no links have been identified between the man who shot Trump and other possible foreign agents.
According to the FBI, which is leading the investigation, the attacker acted alone and used an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle that his father had legally purchased.
The Secret Service is currently conducting an intense investigation into failures that may have allowed the assassination attempt on Trump, the first such incident since then-President Ronald Reagan in 1981.
The US government has announced it will conduct an independent investigation into the failings, and has also strengthened Trump’s security detail and provided Secret Service agents to independent candidate Robert Kennedy Jr.
Iran: “Baseless” claims
For its part, Iran dismissed as “baseless” and “malicious” the claims of US intelligence that the Persian country had prepared a plan to assassinate Donald Trump weeks before last Saturday’s failed attack and that it had nothing to do with it.
A source at the Iranian mission to the United Nations – the only official Iranian channel on US soil, as there are no diplomatic relations there – dismissed the accusations as untrue, although he stressed that “Trump is a criminal who must be persecuted and punished in court”, alluding to the assassination of Soleimani.
“Iran has chosen the legal route to bring (Trump) to justice,” the source concluded.
Last updated at 03:24 CET.
GS(EFE,AP)
Shooting at Trump rally in pictures
The attack against the candidate at a campaign event in Pennsylvania sent shockwaves across the United States and the world.
Image: Brendan McDermid/Reuters
A series of gunshots were fired during Donald Trump’s presidential campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Secret Service agents immediately rushed to the stage and surrounded Trump, who was knocked to the floor of the grandstand.
Image: Gene J. Puskar/AP Photos/Picture Alliance
The Secret Service enters the scene
As the shots rang out, Trump was seen touching his right ear. Secret Service agents then ran onto the stage and tackled the former president. They crowded around him while other security agents secured the place.
Image: Evan Vucci/AP Photos/Picture Alliance
Donald Trump has an injury to his right ear
After Trump was surrounded, Secret Service agents helped the former president to his feet. Blood could be seen streaking his face. Trump raised his fist toward the crowd and chanted, “Fight, fight, fight.” Many in the crowd chanted “USA, USA.”
Image: Reuters
Trump strikes a defiant pose
After being helped to his feet by Secret Service agents, Trump raised his fist in the air in a defiant gesture, leaving himself partially exposed and blood stains visible on his face. Photos of that moment with the American flag in the background quickly circulated on social networks. Many Republicans saw it as a defining moment for their campaign.
Image: Evan Vucci/AP Photo/Picture Alliance
Crime scene: Outdoor rally in Pennsylvania
The former US president had just started his speech when the sound of gunfire was heard. Trump was talking about immigrants. An eyewitness told Reuters news agency that at first it sounded like fireworks, but then people started screaming. He said, “Everyone panicked. It was chaos.”
Image: Evan Vucci/AP Photo/Picture Alliance
Shock and fear among the crowd at the rally
Three people from the audience were initially seriously injured. A doctor present rushed to help one of the injured. Speaking to reporters later, the doctor said the man had been shot in the head. His death was later confirmed.
Image: Brendan McDermid/Reuters
There is uproar in the world
News of what the FBI calls an “attempted assassination” made headlines around the world. President Joe Biden said he was relieved Trump was safe and condemned the attack, saying “there is no place in America for this type of violence.” Vice President Kamala Harris, who was also campaigning in Pennsylvania, condemned the “despicable act.”
Image: Brian Snyder/Reuters
Joe Biden condemns attempt on Trump’s life
US President Joe Biden returned to Washington from his seaside home in Delaware and also spoke to Trump after his release from the hospital. Biden said he was grateful to the Secret Service for getting Trump out safely. “This is sick. This is sick. This is one of the reasons we have to unite this country,” Biden wrote on the social network X.
Image: Tom Brenner/Reuters
Police deployment: More security for candidates
Police officers in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, protect the town hall where President Biden made an appearance. In his speech, he condemned the attack on his potential Republican rival in the November presidential election.
Image: Tom Brenner/Reuters
Several hours after the shooting, the FBI took over the investigation. The agency has since confirmed an “assassination attempt” against Trump and announced it had identified the shooter. Special Agent Kevin Rojek said officers were “vigorously working” on the case. The FBI said it had “no reason to believe” any additional threats existed.
Image: Brendan McDermid/Reuters
Extra security for Trump
The NYPD was standing guard in front of Trump Tower in New York. After leaving the hospital, the former president was expected to spend the night at his home in New Jersey, the New York Times reported.
Image: David D. Delgado/Reuters
Most serious assassination attempt since 1981
Secret Service members patrol the area after Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania was interrupted by the attack. The attack is the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since 1981, when Ronald Reagan was shot.
