In a political drama fit for a thriller, former President Donald Trump has lashed out at the FBI amid an investigation into an alleged assassination attempt.
The bureau is probing whether Trump was struck by a bullet or shrapnel during a shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Tensions escalated when FBI Director Christopher Wray suggested that shrapnel, rather than a bullet, might have grazed Trump’s ear.
The FBI is now examining fragments found near the stage to determine the cause of Trump’s injuries, while Wray’s comments have sparked a firestorm.
Trump, ever defiant, insisted it was a bullet that hit him, posting furiously on Truth Social about the FBI’s handling of the investigation.
He criticized Wray’s judgment, particularly regarding the mental state of President Biden.
“FBI Director Christopher Wray told Congress yesterday that he wasn’t sure if I was hit by shrapnel, glass, or a bullet (the FBI never even checked!),” Trump fumed online.
Trump accused Wray of focusing on political issues instead of national security threats, painting the investigation as part of a broader agenda.
 “No, it was, unfortunately, a bullet that hit my ear, and hit it hard,” Trump insisted, challenging Wray’s statements.
 This controversy erupted after Wray testified before Congress, revealing the FBI’s uncertainty about the nature of the projectile that injured Trump.
The shooting in Butler was a harrowing incident, resulting in the death of firefighter Corey Comperatore and injuries to two others, including Trump.
 As the investigation unfolds, the FBI is seeking to interview Trump to gather more information about the attack.
Trump’s account remains firm, describing how he heard “zip, zip” as bullets whizzed past him.
He recalled arguing with his Secret Service detail, refusing to leave the scene on a stretcher despite bleeding profusely.
 “I’m supposed to be dead,” Trump stated, crediting a last-minute head turn with saving his life.
Initial reports speculated Trump might have been hit by shattered glass from a teleprompter, but photos showed both screens intact, debunking that theory.
The FBI investigation is digging deeper into the motives of the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old gunman with a disturbing history.
Wray disclosed that Crooks had researched the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, raising questions about his intentions.
Crooks’ online search history, including “How far away was Oswald from Kennedy?” has become a focal point of the investigation.
This chilling detail underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential motivations behind the attack.
Crooks had registered for the Trump rally on the same day as his online search, suggesting a premeditated plan.
As the FBI investigates the incident as an act of domestic terrorism, questions swirl about the security lapses that allowed the attack to occur.
FBI Director Wray emphasized the importance of uncovering Crooks’ motives, describing the lack of clear ideological clues as “frustrating.”
The incident has thrust the FBI into the political spotlight just months before the presidential election.
Lawmakers are demanding answers, while the public watches closely for developments in this high-stakes investigation.
The shooting has ignited a firestorm of political debate, with Trump calling for Wray’s resignation over perceived missteps.
“Wray should resign immediately from the FBI,” Trump wrote, accusing the director of incompetence and bias.
Wray’s testimony addressed multiple topics, including the FBI’s handling of election interference and the events of January 6th.
 His comments on Biden’s cognitive state drew Trump’s ire, further fueling the former president’s call for Wray to step down.
Amidst the turmoil, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned, taking responsibility for security failures at the rally.
Cheatle faced bipartisan criticism for the lack of protective measures that allowed Crooks to open fire.
Crooks had been identified as suspicious before the shooting, yet he managed to climb onto a nearby building to carry out the attack.
The gunman was ultimately shot dead by a sniper, but not before firing a volley of bullets into the crowd.
Wray described how Crooks used mechanical equipment to scale the building, positioning himself within 135 meters of the stage.
The chilling parallels to the Kennedy assassination are inescapable, with Crooks firing eight shots from an AR-style rifle.
The Warren Commission’s analysis of Kennedy’s assassination noted a similar distance between Oswald and his target.
 The FBI’s investigation into Crooks’ motives and methods continues, as the bureau faces scrutiny over its handling of the case.
This unfolding saga has captivated the nation, with Trump’s vocal criticism of the FBI adding fuel to the fire.
The former president’s insistence on a bullet wound contrasts sharply with the FBI’s cautious approach to determining the facts.
 As the investigation proceeds, the stakes remain high, with political implications reverberating across the country.
The nation watches as the FBI works to piece together the truth behind the Butler shooting, its outcome poised to shape the political landscape.
With Trump’s narrative clashing against the FBI’s findings, the quest for truth continues amidst a charged atmosphere.
As the probe delves deeper into the mind of a shooter and the lapses that led to a national crisis, the drama is far from over.
The shadow of this assassination attempt looms large, with its resolution critical to understanding the broader threats facing the nation.
 In the high-stakes world of politics and national security, the quest for answers remains urgent, the outcome uncertain.