Former President Donald Trump is railing against FBI director Christopher Wray for testifying earlier this week that it was still unclear whether Trump was hit with a bullet — or something else — at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
“FBI Director Christopher Wray told Congress yesterday that he wasn’t sure if I was hit by shrapnel, glass, or a bullet (the FBI never even checked!) … ” Trump posted in part Thursday night on his Truth Social account.
Trump was reacting to Wray telling House lawmakers on Wednesday that the bureau still hasn’t reached a determination as to whether Trump’s ear was hit by an actual bullet.
“I think with respect to former President Trump, there’s some question about whether or not it’s a bullet or shrapnel that hit his ear,” Wray said in response to a question from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan asking whether the FBI has accounted for all bullets fired by the shooter.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is helped off the stage by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., on July 13, 2024.
Gene J. Puskar/AP
“It’s conceivable — although as I sit here right now I don’t know whether that bullet, in addition to causing the grazing could have also landed somewhere else,” Wray said.
As he indicated, the FBI is still examining bullet fragments found at the rally site in Butler, Pennsylvania, according to a source familiar with the investigation, to determine what actually hit the former president.
On Friday, Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson, a former White House physician who served while Trump was president, disputed Wray’s testimony in a letter on his congressional letterhead.
“There was no evidence it was anything other than a bullet,” Jackson wrote in the letter posted to X by Trump’s adviser Jason Miller. “Congress should correct the record as confirmed by both the hospital and myself. Director Wray is wrong and inappropriate to suggest anything else.”
Jackson writes that he has been treating Trump in the aftermath of the assassination attempt and concurs with the assessment made by the doctors at the Butler Memorial Hospital the day of the shooting.
The hospital has not released any medical reports about Trump’s injury, the cause or any treatment Trump received. Nor is there an official account yet from the state or federal government or the Trump campaign, other than two letters from Jackson, an outspoken supporter.
FBI Director Christopher Wray appears before the House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill, July 24, 2024, in Washington.
Chris Kleponis/AFP via Getty Images
A statement released by the FBI on Thursday said the attempted assassination resulted in Trump’s injury, but the exact manner how is still under investigation.
“The FBI’s Shooting Reconstruction Team continues to examine evidence from the scene, including bullet fragments, and the investigation remains ongoing.”
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, July 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C.
Alex Brandon/AP
In his post on Truth Social, Trump insisted it was a bullet that struck him.
“No, it was, unfortunately, a bullet that hit my ear, and hit it hard,” Trump wrote. “There was no glass, there was no shrapnel. The hospital called it a ‘bullet wound to the ear,’ and that is what it was.”
At his campaign rallies, Trump now says he “took a bullet for democracy.”
In the same social media post Thursday, Trump also said Wray “knows nothing” and has promised to fire him if he wins a second term.
ABC News’ Lalee Ibssa and Kelsey Walsh contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump recently criticized FBI Director Christopher Wray for his statement regarding the uncertainty of a bullet strike during a recent shooting incident. Wray had stated that the FBI could not definitively determine if a bullet had struck a specific object during the incident, leading Trump to question the credibility of the FBI’s investigation.
The incident in question took place during a shooting at a public event where multiple shots were fired. The FBI was called in to investigate the scene and determine the trajectory of the bullets. However, Wray’s statement that they could not confirm if a bullet had struck a specific object has raised doubts about the accuracy of the investigation.
Trump took to Twitter to express his displeasure with Wray’s statement, calling it “ridiculous” and questioning the competence of the FBI director. He also criticized the FBI for not being able to provide a clear answer on such a crucial aspect of the investigation.
This public disagreement between Trump and Wray highlights the ongoing tension between the White House and the FBI. Trump has been critical of the FBI in the past, particularly in relation to its handling of the Russia investigation and its alleged bias against his administration.
The FBI, on the other hand, has maintained that it conducts its investigations with impartiality and professionalism. Wray has defended the bureau’s work, stating that they are committed to upholding the rule of law and serving the American people.
Despite the criticism from Trump, it is important to remember that the FBI plays a crucial role in maintaining national security and upholding the law. While disagreements may arise between government officials and law enforcement agencies, it is essential that they work together to ensure justice and accountability.
In conclusion, the criticism of FBI Director Christopher Wray by President Trump over his statement on the uncertainty of a bullet strike highlights the complex relationship between the White House and law enforcement agencies. While disagreements may occur, it is vital that both sides work together to uphold the rule of law and serve the American people.
