Judicial Watch Criticizes FBI Over Delayed Document Release in Trump Assassination Investigation

Judicial Watch President Thomas Fitton criticized the FBI for its slow release of documents concerning the 2024 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. During an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Fitton expressed frustration over the lengthy processing timeline.

Delayed Document Release

According to Fitton, the FBI has indicated that processing these documents will take 12 years. This timeline prevents any challenges to withheld information until the process is completed. Fitton emphasized the unacceptable nature of this delay and questioned the positions of FBI and DOJ leadership on the matter.

Judicial Watch Lawsuit

Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice in 2025 after the FBI denied a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request submitted in July 2024. The request sought documents related to the FBI’s investigation into Thomas Matthew Crooks, who tried to assassinate Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Text Messages Revealed

The lawsuit led to the release of numerous documents to Judicial Watch. Recently disclosed documents included text messages Crooks sent to an unidentified recipient, redacted by the FBI. Crooks, a resident of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, attempted the assassination at a 2024 campaign rally but was killed by Secret Service agents during the event.

We’re receiving these documents because they’re part of the investigation, yet we’re not being told who he was talking to, Fitton expressed in the interview.

Fitton conveyed concerns about withholding information related to Crooks’ communication. He argued that this lack of transparency creates uncertainty and may appear as a cover-up, citing the need for details on Crooks’ interactions.

Strange Text Messages

The documents contained cryptic messages from Crooks, sent between May 2023 and January 2024. The brief texts included phrases such as “Hello red,” “Yolo,” and nonsensical sequences of characters.

Privacy vs. Public Interest

While recognizing privacy expectations for potential correspondents, Fitton stressed the importance of public interest in understanding the near assassination of a former president. He advocated for transparency over privacy concerns.

Document Processing Concerns

Fitton highlighted the extensive volume of documents involved, approximately 75,000 pages. With the current pace of releasing 500 pages monthly, it would take over 12 years to complete the review process. He called for an expedited approach to ensure transparency.

Despite efforts to pressure the FBI and the Department of Justice publicly, Fitton noted the challenges in speeding up the process without court intervention. The public’s right to understand the assassination attempt outweighs privacy interests of those named in the investigation.

Former President Donald Trump was rushed offstage by Secret Service agents after being grazed by a bullet during the rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania.