Congressman Raises Concerns Over FBI's Handling of Assassination Attempt Investigation

Rep. Clay Higgins, a Louisiana Republican and member of Congress' bipartisan task force investigating the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, has revealed alarming details regarding the handling of the shooter’s body. In a report released this week, Higgins disclosed that the FBI had cremated the body of Thomas Matthew Crooks just ten days after the incident, a decision that has sparked accusations of a potential cover-up. The congressman expressed his frustration, stating that the coroner and local law enforcement were unaware of the body’s release until August 5. Higgins criticized the FBI for what he described as "obstruction" of the investigation, noting that the coroner had legal authority over the body at the time of its release. He questioned the rationale behind the FBI's decision to allow the cremation without oversight, emphasizing that this action undermines the integrity of any subsequent investigations. The congressman highlighted that both the Homeland Security Committee and the Oversight Committee had initiated inquiries into the assassination attempt on the same day Crooks' body was cremated. The preliminary report submitted by Higgins raises serious concerns about the FBI's investigative practices, which he characterized as a "scorched earth" approach. He stated that while he would eventually receive autopsy reports and photographs, he could not verify their accuracy without examining the body himself. Higgins reiterated his commitment to transparency and accountability, asserting that the American public deserves the full truth regarding the assassination attempt.