Nate Jones, the director of Freedom of Information Act requests at The Washington Post, revealed on Thursday that Pennsylvania State Police have refused to turn over the "after action report" in the assassination attempt against President Donald Trump last year.
Writing on X, Jones noted that both Butler County and state police confirmed the offices are "in possession of an after action report on 7/13/24 assassination attempt of Donald Trump."
Both refuse to release the report, however.
"Your request is denied as it seeks non-public records. the RTKL defines a 'public record' as '[a] record ... of a Commonwealth or local agency that (1) is not exepmpt under section 708; (2) is not expempt from being disclosed under any other Federal or State law or regulation or judicial order or decree; or (3) is not protected by a privilege," read the state polic letter.
Butler County went into much more detail, however, revealing, "[T]he record is a record maintained by an agency in connection with the military, homeland security, national defense, law enforcement or other public safety activity that, if disclosed would be reasonably likely to jeopardize or threaten public safety or preparedness or public protection activity. The release of the planning information could have a diverse effect on future planning for dignitary protection duties."
Trump was shot at last July, grazing his ear and killing a supporter standing behind him. The shooter, Thomas Crooks, was killed after firing on the president and didn't appear to have any connections to international terrorism cells or other national security-related matters.
However, the U.S. Secret Service is known for blocking efforts to publicly discuss procedures guarding the protectee. However, it said the incident changed parts of its manual to “advance procedures and communication practices” relating to coordination with local law enforcement, the Associated Press reported this week.