Trump assassination threat from Iran, expert explains why | LiveNOW from FOX

Security around former President Donald Trump was reportedly already heightened last weekend when he was shot while speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

US officials revealed the reasoning for the increased security was a threat from Iran to assassinate the 2024 Republican presidential candidate. Iranian officials have denied the claims.

Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies joined LiveNOW from FOX's Josh Breslow to explain the reasoning behind Iran's desire to "take out" Trump, including why Iran should truly fear his reelection.

A US Secret Service counter sniper took the shot that killed Thomas Matthew Crooks despite only being able to see his scope and the top of his eye and forehead due to the slant of the roof, officials told FOX News late Friday.

Crooks opened fire on former President Donald Trump at his July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, striking Trump in the ear, wounding two other people and killing a former fire chief in the crowd.

The Wall Street Journal reports Crooks was able to fly a drone over the Butler Farm Show grounds shortly before former president Trump was set to speak there.

Donald Trump’s campaign reportedly wanted to hold the rally at Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport but had to change the site to the Butler Farm Show grounds, due to a scheduling conflict.

On Saturday, July 13, Crooks climbed onto a building during Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and opened fire with a semiautomatic rifle, authorities said.

He killed a 50-year-old father of two named Corey Comperatore, critically wounded David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74, according to authorities. He struck the former president in his right ear.

Secret Service counter-snipers "neutralized" Crooks at the scene, authorities said. Images show him lying dead on a rooftop less than 150 yards from where Trump had been speaking.

related: thomas crooks, thomas crookes, thomas mathew crooks

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[Manny]

Let me guess the Secret Service came up with that idea why not blame Iran 😂😂😂😂😂

[Manny]

Yeah, sure it was Iran they couldn’t hire someone professional, so they took a 20 years old 😂😂😂😂 i’m telling you if Secret Service came up with that idea they’re really think people are stupid

[theuntouchable]

Yes, how convenient to blame Persians. Like with every magician - Watch the other hand.

[benmohamed]

they did it with cuba and russia now with iran

[Wizardsleave]

The real question is, why would the CIA and their mockingbird media tell us Iran did this.

[lianthang]

This is not related to Iran. Only related to Democrat. Do not change the subject.

[sneslive]

Turns out he was a self proclaimed Iranian sympathizer. Trust us bros.

[leolacasse]

the Iranians I have known in business in California, were a great bunch of people who seemed happy to escape a country where church and state were the same.

[ynp]

Iranians were going to be the cover story had the attempt worked.

[nathanielhickmanll]

u know what...iran aint got nothing to do with that😂😂😂😂

[-ma]

Nice try but, didn't work with people. Old tactics.

[jonbrown]

Security was heightened? They didn’t even use actual Secret Service Special Agents for the immediate security around the principal.

[lesduffey]

The Iranians chickened out after checking out the sloped roof "to scary" according to one terrorist we interviewed, " I might hurt my ankle, " said another. So the mission was canceled according to the "Mullahs."

[Kepi_Kei]

That kid did not act alone. Who was on the water tower? I saw the video. It was a black shape that was moving around, and right when the shots were fired It "ducked" behind the tower and then a couple of seconds later reappears. Cheatle did not say there was a sniper on the water tower; she said there were 2 teams on 2 roofs. So who was it?

[johnlinnemeier]

Nonsense! Surprised they didn't blame Putin.

[larrousseyves]

Iran also asassinated Lincoln and Elvis Presley.

[larrywheels]

Trying to deflect thexattention away from the bad guys right here. Unreal.

[CObAlTtTttt]

of Iran died under the sanctions. The no political people of Iran did not do anything to you. The sanctions against Iran caused nothing but destruction of human mankind. Please please let people breathe

[ConorLeprechaunMcgregor]

Secret service is the mastermind. That's 100%

[dalebellamy]

Should we as American's be concerned about what Iran thinks of our President or our election procedings?