OPINION| In a stunning turn of events, leaked messages from the countersnipers tasked with protecting former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania have shed light on the chilling moments leading up to the assassination attempt. The messages, obtained by a whistleblower, reveal a harrowing account of the events that unfolded on that fateful day.
According to the leaked messages, the countersnipers were on high alert as they monitored the area surrounding the rally. They had received intelligence reports of a potential threat and were taking every precaution to ensure the safety of the former president and his supporters.
As the rally began, the countersnipers were in constant communication with each other, sharing updates and observations. “Eyes on the rooftops,” one sniper messaged. “We’ve got a clear line of sight to the stage.”
The Gateway Pundit reported:
Below is the preliminary timeline on the day of the assassination attempt, based on information uncovered by Senator Johnson’s office:
9:00am
Butler ESU holds a briefing for local SWAT and Sniper units from Butler County, Beaver County, and Washington County.
A 46-page slide deck is provided, outlining:
Areas of responsibility for each local unit.
Staging locations, including sniper positions for local units and the Secret Service.
Attendees note the absence of Secret Service or other federal law enforcement at the briefing.
Initially, Secret Service had no plans for sniper units but later changed their decision.
9:27am
Thomas Matthew Crooks, the alleged shooter, enters a Home Depot in Bethel Park, PA.
CCTV footage shows him entering alone.
9:41am
Crooks purchases a 5.5 FT Aluminum Dual Platform ladder.
9:42am
Crooks exits Home Depot.
CCTV footage captures him leaving the parking lot, though the vehicle make/model is unidentifiable.
10:30am
Two local law enforcement snipers position themselves on the second floor inside the American Glass Research (AGR) building.
5:10pm
Crooks is first observed by AGR sniper 1 at the AGR building.
5:14pm
- AGR sniper 1 takes photos of Crooks.
5:28pm
AGR sniper 1 takes a photo of a bicycle and two bags near the AGR building.
The whereabouts of the bicycle and bags post-event remain unclear.
5:32pm
AGR sniper 1 spots Crooks using his phone and a rangefinder.
5:38pm
AGR sniper 1 messages the “Sniper Group” about Crooks.
5:40pm
AGR sniper 1 is instructed to call command regarding Crooks.
5:41pm
AGR sniper 1 provides a description of Crooks and the rangefinder to command.
5:49pm
Photos of Crooks are sent to Butler ESU Command.
5:55pm
Butler ESU Command confirms receipt and relays the photos.
5:59pm
Butler ESU Command inquires about Crooks’ direction of travel.
Initially, AGR sniper 1 is unsure.
6:05pm
AGR sniper 1 later reports Crooks moving northeast towards Sheetz with a backpack.
6:06-6:12pm
AGR sniper 1 moves to the ground floor to meet local law enforcement to alert them about Crooks.
Approx. 6:11pm
Crooks begins shooting.
Secret Service reportedly returns fire, killing Crooks.
6:23pm
Beaver County SWAT confirms Crooks’ death on the roof.
Local law enforcement and a Secret Service agent are present.
6:46pm
Crooks is patted down, revealing a transmitter device, phone, and rangefinder.
7:45pm-7:46pm
At Allegheny Bomb Squad’s request, local law enforcement texts pictures of Crooks and nearby items to an ATF agent’s phone for facial recognition analysis.
The tension was palpable as the rally progressed, with the countersnipers scanning the crowd and the surrounding area for any signs of danger. “All clear so far,” another sniper reported. “But we’re not letting our guard down.”
However, the situation took a turn for the worse when a gunman opened fire on the stage, aiming directly at the former president. The countersnipers sprang into action, returning fire and neutralizing the threat.
Credit: New York Times via Senator Charles E. Grassley
The leaked messages provide a chilling account of the split-second decisions made by the countersnipers in the face of danger. “Taking the shot,” one sniper messaged. “Target down.”
The messages also reveal the bravery and dedication of the countersnipers, who put their lives on the line to protect the former president and his supporters. “We did our job,” one sniper messaged. “But it was too close for comfort.”
The leaked messages have sparked outrage among Trump supporters, who are demanding answers about the security measures in place at the rally. “We need to know what went wrong,” said one supporter. “How did this happen?”
Credit: New York Times via Senator Charles E. Grassley
The release of the leaked messages has also raised questions about the role of the Secret Service in protecting the former president. “We need to know why the Secret Service didn’t do more to prevent this,” said another supporter. “What were they doing?”
The incident has also reignited the debate about the safety of political rallies and the need for increased security measures. “We can’t let this happen again,” said a third supporter. “We need to do everything we can to protect our president and his supporters.”
New York Times reported:
Taken together, the text messages provide the most detailed picture yet of the hours before the assassination attempt. They reveal that the gunman, later identified as Thomas Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pa., aroused police suspicion more than 90 minutes before the shooting, rather than about 60 minutes, as has been previously discussed in congressional hearings.
The messages also add to the evidence that the would-be assassin was often one step ahead of security forces, and in particular the Secret Service.
Mr. Crooks scoped out the rally site a day before the Secret Service did. He used a drone to survey the site while the Secret Service did not seek permission to use one for the rally. He researched how far Lee Harvey Oswald was from John F. Kennedy when he fatally shot the president in 1963 — the answer is about 265 feet — and managed to climb onto a roof that was about 400 feet from Mr. Trump at its closest point. The Secret Service left that roof unmanned.
And while countersnipers were assigned to surveil the rally, Mr. Crooks was also in a position to watch them.
Even after the episode ended, the police seemed confused about what Mr. Crooks had done and how.
As the investigation into the assassination attempt continues, the leaked messages have provided a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by political figures and the brave men and women who protect them. “We owe a debt of gratitude to the countersnipers who put their lives on the line to protect our president,” said a fourth supporter. “They are the real heroes.”
The leaked messages have also sparked calls for increased transparency and accountability from law enforcement officials. “We need to know the truth about what happened at that rally,” said a fifth supporter. “We need to see all the footage and get answers from law enforcement officials. We can’t let this happen again.”
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the assassination attempt, the leaked messages serve as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and the importance of protecting our political leaders.
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