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<p>"I took a bullet for democracy," these were the words of former United States (US) president and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump as he held his first rally&nbsp;in Grand Rapids&nbsp;on Saturday (July 20) since surviving an assassination attempt on July 13.</p>

<p>Trump referred to the assassination attempt several times during his speech.&nbsp;"I hope I don't have to go through that again. It was so horrible," he added.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-assassination-attempt-secret-service-sniper-killed-shooter-with-one-in-a-million-shot-report-742589">Trump assassination attempt: Secret Service sniper killed shooter with 'one-in-a-million shot'</a></strong></p>

<p>"I'm not an extremist at all," Trump also said, dismissing his reported links to Project 25,&nbsp;a shadow manifesto from figures close to him that has been characterised by opponents as an authoritarian, right-wing wish list.</p>

<h2><strong>Trump hits out at Biden, Democrats</strong></h2>

<p>During the rally, Trump mocked the Democratic Party, which has been&nbsp;roiled by unprecedented pressure for President Joe Biden to abandon his reelection bid amid concerns over his age and fitness to serve.</p>

<p>"They have no idea who their candidate is... This guy goes and he gets the votes, and now they want to take it away. That's democracy," he said.</p>

<p>Trump further went on to slam Vice President Kamala Harris and Nancy Pelosi.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gunman at Trump rally had drone in car, FBI probe reveals</strong></p>

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<p>“From the moment we take back the White House from Crooked Joe Biden and Kamala, I call her Laughing Kamala. You ever watched her laugh? She's crazy. You know, you can tell a lot by a laugh. No, she's crazy. She's nuts. She's not as crazy as Nancy Pelosi," Trump said.</p>

<p>"Did you see Nancy Pelosi is selling out Biden? I think you see. She turned on him like a dog. ‘Well, I don't know if he should continue,’ where did that come from? She was 100%, all of a sudden, she's not sure. Not sure means he’s gone. But she's crazy as a bedbug. She's crazy,” he added.</p>

<p>The Biden-Harris campaign dismissed the speech as&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;"peddling the same lies (and) running the same campaign of revenge and retribution."</p>


"I took a bullet for democracy," these were the words of former United States (US) president and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump as he held his first rally in Grand Rapids on Saturday (July 20) since surviving an assassination attempt on July 13.

"I took a bullet for democracy," these were the words of former United States (US) president and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump as he held his first rally in Grand Rapids on Saturday (July 20) since surviving an assassination attempt on July 13. Trump referred to the assassination attempt several times during his speech. "I hope I don't have to go through that again. It was so horrible," he added. Also read | Trump assassination attempt: Secret Service sniper killed shooter with 'one-in-a-million shot' "I'm not an extremist at all," Trump also said, dismissing his reported links to Project 25, a shadow manifesto from figures close to him that has been characterised by opponents as an authoritarian, right-wing wish list. Trump hits out at Biden, Democrats During the rally, Trump mocked the Democratic Party, which has been roiled by unprecedented pressure for President Joe Biden to abandon his reelection bid amid concerns over his age and fitness to serve. "They have no idea who their candidate is... This guy goes and he gets the votes, and now they want to take it away. That's democracy," he said. Trump further went on to slam Vice President Kamala Harris and Nancy Pelosi. Also watch | Gunman at Trump rally had drone in car, FBI probe reveals × “From the moment we take back the White House from Crooked Joe Biden and Kamala, I call her Laughing Kamala. You ever watched her laugh? She's crazy. You know, you can tell a lot by a laugh. No, she's crazy. She's nuts. She's not as crazy as Nancy Pelosi," Trump said. "Did you see Nancy Pelosi is selling out Biden? I think you see. She turned on him like a dog. ‘Well, I don't know if he should continue,’ where did that come from? She was 100%, all of a sudden, she's not sure. Not sure means he’s gone. But she's crazy as a bedbug. She's crazy,” he added. The Biden-Harris campaign dismissed the speech as Trump "peddling the same lies (and) running the same campaign of revenge and retribution."

Took a bullet for democracy: Trump addresses first campaign rally since assassination attempt

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<p>The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has said that Thomas Matthew Crooks, who tried to assassinate former United States President Donald Trump last weekend, did not show signs of any mental health issues, the news agency Associated Press reported on Friday (July 19).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Crooks, 20,&nbsp;killed one rallygoer and seriously wounded two others during Trump's campaign rally in Butler on July 13. The former president and current Republican presidential candidate suffered an ear injury but was not seriously hurt.</p>

<p>A few days back, Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh field office, told reporters that there was&nbsp;no indication of any mental health issues with Crooks.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gunman-thomas-crooks-searched-for-trump-and-biden-prior-to-assassination-bid-fbi-742101">REVEALED! What gunman Thomas Crooks searched prior to his assassination bid on Donald Trump</a></strong></p>

<p>Crooks used an AR-style rifle, which authorities said was purchased legally by his father. Investigators also found he brought multiple loaded magazines.&nbsp;Authorities found a bulletproof vest in his car and another rudimentary explosive device at his home.</p>

<h2><strong>Crooks looked up dates of Trump's appearances</strong></h2>

<p>Crooks had&nbsp;photos&nbsp;of Trump, incumbent President Joe Biden, and other top US officials&nbsp;on his phone including Federal Bureau of Investigation's&nbsp;(FBI) Director Chris Wray, the AP reported on Friday citing sources.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One of the sources said that investigators searching Crooks' devices&nbsp;also found that the shooter looked up the dates for the Democratic National Convention (DNC)&nbsp;as well as Trump’s appearances.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Will close border for illegal immigrants: Trump</strong></p>

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<p>The sources also told the Associated Press that the 20-year-old&nbsp;searched for information about major depressive disorder. However, investigators have not yet determined&nbsp;whether he was actually diagnosed with the disorder.</p>

<h2><strong>The FBI investigation</strong></h2>

<p>The FBI said it was investigating the shooting as a potential act of domestic terrorism but was yet to find a clear ideological motive.&nbsp;The agency has also been&nbsp;searching for clues into what drove Crooks to open fire on the July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Since the shooting happened, the FBI gained access to Crooks’ cellphone, scoured his computer, home, and car, and interviewed more than 100 people so far.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has said that Thomas Matthew Crooks, who tried to assassinate former United States President Donald Trump last weekend, did not show signs of any mental health issues, the news agency Associated Press reported on Friday (July 19).

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has said that Thomas Matthew Crooks, who tried to assassinate former United States President Donald Trump last weekend, did not show signs of any mental health issues, the news agency Associated Press reported on Friday (July 19). Crooks, 20, killed one rallygoer and seriously wounded two others during Trump's campaign rally in Butler on July 13. The former president and current Republican presidential candidate suffered an ear injury but was not seriously hurt. A few days back, Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh field office, told reporters that there was no indication of any mental health issues with Crooks. Also read | REVEALED! What gunman Thomas Crooks searched prior to his assassination bid on Donald Trump Crooks used an AR-style rifle, which authorities said was purchased legally by his father. Investigators also found he brought multiple loaded magazines. Authorities found a bulletproof vest in his car and another rudimentary explosive device at his home. Crooks looked up dates of Trump's appearances Crooks had photos of Trump, incumbent President Joe Biden, and other top US officials on his phone including Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Director Chris Wray, the AP reported on Friday citing sources. One of the sources said that investigators searching Crooks' devices also found that the shooter looked up the dates for the Democratic National Convention (DNC) as well as Trump’s appearances. Also watch | Will close border for illegal immigrants: Trump × The sources also told the Associated Press that the 20-year-old searched for information about major depressive disorder. However, investigators have not yet determined whether he was actually diagnosed with the disorder. The FBI investigation The FBI said it was investigating the shooting as a potential act of domestic terrorism but was yet to find a clear ideological motive. The agency has also been searching for clues into what drove Crooks to open fire on the July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Since the shooting happened, the FBI gained access to Crooks’ cellphone, scoured his computer, home, and car, and interviewed more than 100 people so far. (With inputs from agencies)

No indication of any mental health issues with Trump's would-be-assassin: FBI

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<p>At the Republican National Convention (RNC) on Wednesday night, the head of the US Secret Service was confronted by Republican senators, one of whom was the top GOP member of the&nbsp;Senate.</p>

<p>They wanted her to step down or provide a detailed account of&nbsp;the security lapses that almost led to the death of former United States&nbsp;President Donald&nbsp;Trump.</p>

<p>At the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Secret Service director Kimberly A&nbsp;Cheatle was strongly confronted by Senators John Barrasso of Wyoming, the third-ranking Republican in the Senate, and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee. A staff member filmed the encounter and shared it with a reporter.</p>

<p>The video, which Blackburn also posted on X, shows Barrasso questioning Cheatle about why Trump was allowed to speak onstage at his&nbsp;rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, even though authorities had already identified the shooter,&nbsp;Thomas Matthew Crooks, as suspicious.</p>

<p>“You put him within less than an inch of his life,” Barrasso said to Cheatle, almost yelling.</p>

<p>“So resignation or full explanation,” Barrasso.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/rnc-2024-republican-vp-nominee-jd-vance-addresses-the-rnc-741903">RNC 2024: Republican VP nominee JD Vance addresses the RNC</a></strong></p>

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<p>Cheatle walked out of the suite without responding as&nbsp;GOP Senators&nbsp;continued to hurl questions at her and insist that she owed them answers as they followed her up a flight of stairs and along a corridor inside the arena.</p>

<p>Given its magnitude, the federal government has classified the Republican National Convention as a "national special security event," which is the highest threat profile.</p>

<p>In a joint interview, Barrasso and Blackburn, said after the event they had a briefing call with Cheatle and FBI Director Christopher Wray, earlier that day. The senators expressed frustration, stating that they had been waiting to ask questions when the call abruptly ended, deeming the briefing inadequate.</p>

<p>Barrasso called the briefing a "cover-your-ass call," saying, "We were trying to understand the circumstances, like how the shooter was able to be on the roof alone and fire shots."</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kai-trump-first-granddaughter-of-donald-trump-speaks-at-rnc-741961">Kai Trump, first granddaughter of Donald Trump, speaks at RNC</a></strong></p>

<p>Both senators said that when they heard that Cheatle was in the arena, they decided to confront her. Barrasso said that they were joined by Senators James Lankford of Oklahoma and Kevin Cramer of North Dakota.</p>

<p>Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the US Secret Service, released a statement saying&nbsp;that Cheatle "has no intentions to step down" and that "continuity of operations is paramount during a critical incident."</p>

<p>"She deeply respects members of Congress," Guglielmi added, "and is fiercely committed to transparency in leading the Secret Service through the internal investigation and strengthening the agency through lessons learned in these important internal and external reviews."</p>

<p>In an interview inside the convention arena, Barrasso said that he and Blackburn only gave up their pursuit of Cheatle after she fled into a restroom.</p>

<p>"She ran up a flight of steps, and we were up with her. And it looked like she then went into a ladies’ room and her security closed the door and locked the door," he said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


At the Republican National Convention (RNC) on Wednesday night, the head of the US Secret Service was confronted by Republican senators, one of whom was the top GOP member of the Senate.

At the Republican National Convention (RNC) on Wednesday night, the head of the US Secret Service was confronted by Republican senators, one of whom was the top GOP member of the Senate. They wanted her to step down or provide a detailed account of the security lapses that almost led to the death of former United States President Donald Trump. At the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Secret Service director Kimberly A Cheatle was strongly confronted by Senators John Barrasso of Wyoming, the third-ranking Republican in the Senate, and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee. A staff member filmed the encounter and shared it with a reporter. The video, which Blackburn also posted on X, shows Barrasso questioning Cheatle about why Trump was allowed to speak onstage at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, even though authorities had already identified the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, as suspicious. “You put him within less than an inch of his life,” Barrasso said to Cheatle, almost yelling. “So resignation or full explanation,” Barrasso. Watch | RNC 2024: Republican VP nominee JD Vance addresses the RNC × Cheatle walked out of the suite without responding as GOP Senators continued to hurl questions at her and insist that she owed them answers as they followed her up a flight of stairs and along a corridor inside the arena. Given its magnitude, the federal government has classified the Republican National Convention as a "national special security event," which is the highest threat profile. In a joint interview, Barrasso and Blackburn, said after the event they had a briefing call with Cheatle and FBI Director Christopher Wray, earlier that day. The senators expressed frustration, stating that they had been waiting to ask questions when the call abruptly ended, deeming the briefing inadequate. Barrasso called the briefing a "cover-your-ass call," saying, "We were trying to understand the circumstances, like how the shooter was able to be on the roof alone and fire shots." Also read: Kai Trump, first granddaughter of Donald Trump, speaks at RNC Both senators said that when they heard that Cheatle was in the arena, they decided to confront her. Barrasso said that they were joined by Senators James Lankford of Oklahoma and Kevin Cramer of North Dakota. Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the US Secret Service, released a statement saying that Cheatle "has no intentions to step down" and that "continuity of operations is paramount during a critical incident." "She deeply respects members of Congress," Guglielmi added, "and is fiercely committed to transparency in leading the Secret Service through the internal investigation and strengthening the agency through lessons learned in these important internal and external reviews." In an interview inside the convention arena, Barrasso said that he and Blackburn only gave up their pursuit of Cheatle after she fled into a restroom. "She ran up a flight of steps, and we were up with her. And it looked like she then went into a ladies’ room and her security closed the door and locked the door," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

US Secret Service chief confronted by GOP senators over Trump assassination bid