FBI seeking to interview Trump as part of assassination attempt investigation

The FBI is actively seeking to interview former President Donald Trump as part of their investigation into the recent assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

According to a US official, the interview aims to obtain a victim statement from Trump, a standard procedure in such cases as he is considered a crime victim, Caliber.Az reports per US media sources.

The FBI's investigation includes examining bullet fragments and other evidence from the attack. While FBI Director Christopher Wray mentioned in a recent House Judiciary hearing that there remains uncertainty about whether Trump was struck by a bullet or shrapnel, the agency continues to treat the incident as an attempted assassination. This statement came in response to questions regarding Wray's Capitol Hill testimony, where he acknowledged some ambiguity about the nature of Trump's injury.

The incident has sparked political backlash, with Trump asserting that he sustained a "bullet wound to the ear," criticizing Wray and the FBI on social media for casting doubt on his account. Trump's campaign has strongly refuted any implications that the injury might not have been caused by a bullet, dismissing such suggestions as politically motivated falsehoods.

During the hearing, Wray provided new details about the assailant, Thomas Matthew Crooks, noting his interest in the assassination of John F. Kennedy and his use of a drone near the rally site shortly before the attack. The session contrasted with previous testimonies, as both Republican and Democratic representatives commended Wray for his transparency, following criticisms of the Secret Service's handling of information.

Wray confirmed that the projectile or shrapnel came close to causing serious harm to the former president, highlighting the gravity of the incident. The investigation continues as the FBI seeks to clarify the specifics of the attack and the nature of Trump's injuries.

On July 13, 2024, former US President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The assailant, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired multiple rounds from an AR-15–style rifle, wounding Trump in the upper right ear. The attack also resulted in the death of an audience member, Corey Comperatore, and injuries to two others. Crooks was subsequently shot and killed by the US Secret Service.

Trump was quickly taken off the stage and transported to a hospital, where he received treatment and was later released in stable condition.