WASHINGTON DC, USA — FBI Director Christopher Wray, in extensive testimony before the US Congress on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, revealed lingering uncertainty regarding whether former US President Donald Trump was grazed by a bullet or shrapnel during a recent assassination attempt.
During the marathon session, Wray emphasized the ongoing investigation into what precisely struck Trump’s right ear at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania earlier this month.
“It’s still unclear whether it was a bullet or some shrapnel that grazed his ear,” Wray informed Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) during the hearing.
Committee Chair Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) pressed Wray for more details on the trajectory of bullets fired by the assailant, Thomas Matthew Crooks.
“We’re investigating whether the object that grazed his ear was a bullet or shrapnel. At this time, I cannot confirm if the bullet that grazed him may have caused further injury,” Wray testified.
The attack occurred during a rally attended by 2024 Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump. In a speech at the Republican National Convention shortly after the event, Trump described the close call.
“I heard a loud whizzing sound and felt a sharp impact on my right ear,” he recounted. Trump described the bullet as narrowly missing him, “coming within a quarter inch of ending my life.”
Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), Trump’s former White House physician, later detailed his examination of the wound on a conservative talk show.
“The bullet grazed the top of his ear, causing minimal physical damage as it was not close enough to his head to cause a concussion,” Jackson explained.
Wray also disclosed new findings from the investigation, revealing that Crooks had researched the distance from which former President John F. Kennedy was shot in 1963, suggesting premeditation.
During the testimony, Trump responded via a post on Truth Social, calling for Wray’s resignation. However, his demand was not related to the details of the assassination attempt but focused on Wray’s characterization of his interactions with President Biden.
The FBI continues its thorough investigation into the assassination attempt, examining all angles to fully understand the threat and ensure the safety of political figures.
