International
Senator publishes unpublished video of the moments after the attack on Donald Trump
Republican Senator Chuck Grassley published on Wednesday a video recorded by a camera of a security officer in which the lifeless body of Thomas Crooks, the shooter who shot Donald Trump was shot at a rally in Pennsylvania on July 13.
The senator said on network X that his intention is that the images serve to provide “transparency” and be held accountable for the security flaws that led the 20-year-old to parapetet on a roof of a building near the stage of the Trump rally without being detected and firing several shots, which killed an assistant and injured two others, in addition to the Republican candidate.
The video was recorded by an agent’s body camera on the roof where Crooks was and in it you can see a secret service agent discussing the details with several police officers of what had just happened to inform Washington.
Before being killed by the security forces, Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old who tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump (2017-2021), fired eight bullets, whose shells were found on the roof on which he was mounted.
This was reported on Wednesday by the director of the FBI, Christopher Wray, in an appearance in a committee of the U.S. House of Representatives in which he offered some details about the attempted assassination of the former president that occurred on Saturday, July 13 at a rally in Butler (Pennsylvania).
Faced with questions from several legislators, Wray assured that the FBI will continue to work “tirelessly to get to the bottom of what happened.”
“We are putting all the resources of the FBI at the service of criminal and national security. Now there is a lot of work going on and there is still a lot of work to be done and our understanding – of what happened and why – will continue to evolve, but we are not going to leave stone without moving,” he said.
“The assassination attempt of the former president was an attack on our democracy and our democratic process and we will not tolerate political violence of any kind, especially a despicable account of this magnitude,” Wray said.
Wray revealed that the shooter was flying the drone around the area, not on stage, but about 200 meters away, about two hours before the start of the rally and that helped him determine the best position to aim the weapon outside the security perimeter.
And about the explosive devices, Wray specified that a total of three explosive devices were recovered, two in Crooks’ vehicle and one from his residence. All of them had receivers that could have allowed them to be detonated remotely.
Grassley said today that the video and documents he has revealed after an official request provide more answers than the Secret Service has given to the American public to date.
Legislators of both parties were very disappointed with the evasion of the former director of the Secret Service, in charge of the security of presidents, former presidents and presidential candidates, Kimberly Cheatle, at a hearing on Monday.
Cheatle resigned yesterday due to the security flaws that led to the attack on Trump, who recovered from a bullet that slightly pierced her right ear.
International
Bill Gates to testify before Congress over Epstein connections
Bill Gates is set to testify on June 10 before a congressional committee in United States investigating links connected to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a source familiar with the matter told AFP on Tuesday.
The Microsoft co-founder is among several high-profile figures named in documents released by the Department of Justice, which detail alleged close associations, questionable financial dealings, and private photographs involving Epstein.
According to a spokesperson cited by Politico, Gates “welcomes” the opportunity to appear before the committee. The representative emphasized that Gates “never attended or participated in any illegal activities with Epstein” and is prepared to answer questions to support the investigation.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment.
In late February, Gates told members of his foundation’s board that his association with Epstein was a “huge mistake.” He has consistently denied any involvement in the financier’s criminal activities. Epstein died by suicide in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking minors.
“I did nothing illegal. I saw nothing illegal,” Gates said, according to a recording obtained by The Wall Street Journal.
Gates acknowledged that his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, three years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor.
A draft email written by Epstein and released by the Department of Justice referenced alleged extramarital relationships involving Gates. The message, which was apparently never sent, claimed that Epstein had helped “Bill” obtain medication related to encounters with Russian women.
Gates admitted to having had two extramarital affairs but denied any involvement with Epstein’s victims.
International
Former Trump allies call for removal, cite 25th Amendment amid Iran threats
International
Trump pauses strikes on Iran, extends ultimatum by two weeks
The president of the United States, Donald Trump, announced a temporary suspension of attacks against Iran for a period of two weeks, extending the ultimatum he had imposed on Tehran just hours before its deadline.
According to the president, the measure is conditional on Iran allowing the “full, immediate, and secure” reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump stated that the decision would involve a reciprocal ceasefire between both parties.
The announcement was made through a message on his social media platform, where he emphasized that the pause in military actions is intended to create space for de-escalation in the region.
He also noted that the decision followed a conversation with the prime minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, who requested a two-week extension of the ultimatum.
The move comes amid heightened global tensions, marked by escalating threats and concerns over the potential impact of the conflict on key international energy trade routes.
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