Donald Trump’s recent assassination attempt has shaken the world, not just the USA. His would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was shot dead minutes after he tried to kill Trump - who was saved thanks to a small move. After the assassination, a lot of questions remain unanswered.
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Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle was summoned to testify before a committee of the US House of Representatives on July 22. She is currently facing calls to resign or face the sack in the aftermath of the incident. In the FBI's further investigation of Thomas Matthew Crooks, it has been revealed a Royal Family member was also searched.
Donald Trump’s would-be assassin searched for Kate Middleton
According to NPR, the 20-year-old rifleman had researched Kate Middleton and downloaded images of her on his phone. Sources close to the investigation confirmed the information to MailOnline as well. The FBI confiscated two phones and a laptop from Crooks' residence following a shooting incident in Pennsylvania.
In their investigation, they found out that apart from Kate Middleton - who recently returned to her Royal public life - he searched for other high-profile people as well. This included President Joe Biden, FBI Director Christopher Wray and US Attorney General Merrick Garland along with dates of Donald Trump’s rally in Butler - where he tried to kill him.
It is not clear why Crooks was looking up Kate - the only non-American on the list. Additionally, there’s no proof to suggest that Crooks had any plans of jetting off to the UK.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle facing risk as well, claims royal expert
Amidst this, royal expert Jennie Bond feels that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may be at risk as well. Highlighting the ‘countless occasions’ where individuals have breached Buckingham Palace's security in recent years - with one intruder even reaching the late Queen’s bedroom, Bond believes Harry is a ‘more obvious target’ due to his military past.
Speaking to OK! Magazine, Bond said:
Security threats are a fact of life for the Royal Family and Prince Harry is an even more obvious target because of his military record. Plus, the fact that he has written about the number of Taliban fighters he has killed in action.
Bond pointed out that security has been a top priority for the Royal Family, as evidenced by the false alarm that caused the royal protection officers to evacuate King Charles and Camilla from a public event in the Channel Islands. Bond shared:
Royal protection officers have always strived to keep a low profile, quite unlike their American counterparts. But, as recent events have shown, the Royals are an easy target and security these days is tighter than ever.
Highlight, Crooks’ research of Kate Middleton she added:
This is a stark reminder of the constant danger that the Royals have to live with.
The false alarm during the trip to the Channel Islands just goes to show how alert the protection team needs to be. It's tough to fathom what life must be like when you're going about your day knowing that someone could be plotting to kill you.
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King Charles appeared frustrated as Queen Camilla struggled with her coat during Royal tour
Sources Used
NPR: More details emerge on the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump
MailOnline: Donald Trump shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks 'searched for the Princess of Wales online' and downloaded images of Kate Middleton to his phone before he tried to murder the former US president, FBI searches reveal
OK! Magazine: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle under siege - after Trump shooter’s Kate Middleton ‘threat’, they’re ‘obvious target'
