Judicial Watch Sues DHS for Records Related to Trump Assassination Attempt

Judicial Watch has initiated a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security for failing to disclose information about the July 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump. After a FOIA request remains ignored, the watchdog aims to shed light on security failures and ensure accountability.

The conservative legal group Judicial Watch is taking legal action against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over its refusal to release documents associated with the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump that occurred during a rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The organization announced the lawsuit on social media, expressing concern regarding the lack of transparency about the security measures in place during the rally. The incident, which involved an individual named Thomas Crooks opening fire and injuring Trump while fatally wounding one rally attendee, has raised critical questions about federal oversight.

Following the assassination attempt, Judicial Watch submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to obtain federal records related to the security of the event. Despite acquiring local records, including body-camera footage from the Butler Township police and memos from the Butler County District Attorney’s Office, the group claims to have faced significant resistance from federal agencies regarding their requests.

Tom Fitton, the President of Judicial Watch, emphasized the necessity for federal agencies to clarify events leading to the attempted assassination, asserting that the American public still lacks crucial information about how such a security breach could occur under the Biden administration. "It’s been eight months, and still no answers," Fitton stated, indicating mounting pressure for accountability.

This lawsuit may mark a pivotal moment in pursuing a clearer understanding of the federal government's role in securing presidential safety, as public interest grows regarding the handling of the attempted assassination, which has been described as one of the most serious security breaches in contemporary U.S. history.