Staff Reports
In the latest episode of “Why Isn’t Anyone Listening?” the security detail for former President Donald Trump took a page from the “How to Get Yourself Outmaneuvered 101” course. Text messages reveal that agents tasked with safeguarding Trump at a July 13 rally were certainly not winning any medals for situational awareness. Instead, they were locked in a rather clumsy game of cat-and-mouse with Thomas Matthew Crooks, who seemed to be playing the role of a mischievous raccoon in a dumpster.
The drama unfolded at 4:26 p.m. when a local police sniper sent a alert about a “person of interest” who was, as luck would have it, Crooks. The sniper ominously noted that Crooks had already figured out the layout of the land and could likely see the agents perched above him. Instead of being on high alert, the agents appeared to be more like startled deer, gazing into the headlights of Crooks’ playful mischief.
As the clock ticked on, things continued to devolve. By 5:10 p.m., Crooks had moved to a location that rendered the counter snipers about as useful as a bicycle in a swimming pool. His antics included lurking around but conspicuously avoiding entering the rally. A sniper captured an image of him hovering outside the gate, looking more like an uninvited party guest than a genuine threat. With every passing minute, it became increasingly clear that Crooks had a knack for eluding their watchful eyes.
At 5:38 p.m., a text indicated that Crooks was seen with a range finder, potentially eyeing the stage where Trump would soon make an appearance. As if painted a target for the countersnipers, he was clearly not blending in with the festive atmosphere. The communication between the agents began to decline further, with some agents left speculating about Crooks’ whereabouts as he seemingly vanished from view. It was like watching a comedy of errors unfold, with law enforcement scrambling to make sense of Crooks’ escapades while he plotted his next move.
Adding to the confusion, Beaver County SWAT team member Gregory Nicol raised flags about Crooks’ bizarre behavior, noting there was something distinctly “off” about a guy peering up and down the building like he was looking for the nearest exit on a sinking ship. The communications got so disjointed that team leader Jason Woods felt the air of impending disaster when they failed to receive any face-to-face briefing from the Secret Service beforehand. Predictably, by the time they started connecting the dots, it was too late, and Crooks had created quite the ruckus.
'I Lost Sight of Him': Concerning Law Enforcement Text Messages from Just Before Trump Shooting Released via @WestJournalism https://t.co/EmvHHnUeqi
— 🇺🇸 The MAGA Train 🇺🇸 Kenneth F Crowe (@KennethFCrowe1) July 29, 2024
The FBI later reported that Crooks managed to access the roof using HVAC units and piping because why not? Who needs a clear path when one can shimmy on rooftops? His journey ended with him taking a shot at Trump before anyone could get their act together. The whole event seems like a perfect illustration of how, when it comes to protecting the former President, some agencies might be operating more like the Three Stooges than a well-oiled security machine.
