Trump's Assassination Attempt
by Joseph Alonso
On July 13, 2024, former President Donald J. Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Merely minutes into Trump's address at the rally, which was meant to garner support for the Trump campaign, turned into a scene of chaos when shots were fired at the stage,
Based on a statement released by the FBI on July 14, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was identified as the subject involved in the assassination attempt.
The Set-Up & Event
The assassination attempt unfolded with alarming speed. Crooks, positioned on a rooftop approximately 150 yards from the stage, opened fire as Trump was delivering his address. He was prone and was using a semi-automatic assault rifle that was registered under his father's name.
As the shots were fired, President Trump was seen grasping his ear before secret service agents rushed to the stage and took Trump to the floor. Within seconds, returned shots were fired at Crooks by agents and officers leading to his death shortly after that.
As a result of the shots, Trump suffered a minor injury to his ear. However, there was significant collateral damage as Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old father and former fire chief, was killed shielding his family with two other individuals being critically injured in the attack, per Fox News.
Who is Thomas Crooks?
Thomas Matthew Crooks was relatively unknown before the incident. A resident of Bethel Park, he had no prior criminal record and had only voted once due to his age.
What makes the investigation into his motives more interesting is Crook's political alignment and actions. While registered as a Republican, Crooks had previously donated to a Democratic political action committee.
The FBI, per Newsmax, has conducted over 200 interviews and reviewed thousands of images but has yet to find a definitive answer to Crooks' motives for engaging in the shooting.
In an update by the FBI on July 15, FBI technical specialists successfully gained access to Thomas Matthew Crooks’ phone but have yet to release any information regarding the content of the device.
For the investigators of the case, this lack of clarity has led to frustration and criticism by the public, particularly from GOP lawmakers who have called for more transparency and accountability from federal agencies.
Investigation and Scrutinity
In the middle of it all is the FBI which is working to uncover the facts of the case and uncover the motive of Crooks to commit these crimes, all with significant scrutiny.
GOP Representative Tim Burchett, a member of the House Oversight Committee, told Fox News Digital that it's "bulls---" that no motive has been identified.
Since then, The Oversight Committee has since subpoenaed Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, seeking answers about potential security failures and the broader implications for national security.
The upcoming hearing, scheduled for July 22, aims to address these concerns and provide the public with more information about the events that led to the assassination attempt as well as what has been uncovered about Crooks' motives.
Apart from this, the masses have taken to social media to express their disbelief in the current state of American political violence. Even President Biden took to X.com stating,
"The path forward through competing visions and campaigns should always be resolved peacefully – not through acts of violence."
From both aisles of the political spectrum, people are in disbelief at the current state of politics.
With Trump and Biden both attempting to reunify America, this assassination attempt serves as the scrutinization of American politics that might just be needed to lower polarization and tensions.
Implication on the nation and Florida
As a pivotal swing state, Florida's political landscape is highly influential and will be key in the upcoming 2024 election in November.
For Miami voters, this event serves as a reminder of the importance of civic engagement and the need to address political violence. It also calls for a reflection on the societal issues contributing to such acts of violence and creating methods to improve on addressing mental health, political polarization, and the spread of extremist ideologies.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the assassination attempt, it becomes clear that ensuring the safety and stability of the democratic process is a collective responsibility that requires support from all citizens. With this, our nation can move forward in light of darkness, and continue to support the democracy that has existed for hundreds of years.
On July 18, former President Trump accepted the GOP nomination for the presidential election.
Calls for President Biden to Step Aside Heat Up
by Noah Santiago
Recently, some big-name Democrats have asked President Joe Biden to step down from running for re-election. According to various news sources, these politicians think that he will not be able to beat Trump among other reasons.
Some believe that if Biden steps down it will already be too late to find another presidential candidate. While others are trying to find someone that could potentially replace Biden.
"Presidential candidates must be able to clearly, articulately, and strongly make his or her case to the American people. It is clear that President Biden is no longer able to meet this burden", said House member Adam Smith referring to the buzz on Joe Biden's cognitive decline.
Despite these calls, Biden has held steadfast on not planning to step down. He believes in what he has achieved and is committed to continuing his work. "I am proud of what we have accomplished so far, and I am determined to keep building on this progress. The stakes are too high to step down now," said Biden during a press conference. Biden expressed that he is confident that he has the Democratic Party's support when asked about this.
As of July 19, President Biden had recently tested positive for COVID-19 and the rumors say that he will likely step down.
This situation shows how important the upcoming election is and how Democrats are trying to figure out the best way to approach the election.
Comments