The lack of transparency surrounding the two recent assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump continues to raise questions, especially following a weekend interview in which FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bonino declared that Jeffrey Epstein’s death was a suicide and offered vague answers regarding the Trump incidents. National political correspondent Susan Crabtree joined Chicago’s Morning Answer to share her reaction and critique the FBI’s handling of the cases.
Crabtree, a veteran reporter and co-author of Fool’s Gold, expressed disappointment in what she described as a “cursory” response by the FBI’s top brass. While Bonino and Patel cited ongoing prosecutions as a reason for withholding information about the Florida would-be shooter, Ryan Ruth, Crabtree pointed out that the second suspect, Thomas Crooks, is deceased—removing any legal barriers to public disclosure.
Crabtree highlighted a number of unanswered questions about Crooks. Why did he have foreign encrypted messaging apps on his phone? Who were the 29 contacts listed on those apps? And what, if any, connections did he have to extremist ideologies or foreign actors? She argued that the FBI should have already held a press conference to address these issues and that withholding such information only feeds public suspicion and fuels conspiracy theories.
“I want to see a list of all the postings from his Gab account,” Crabtree said, referring to the social media profile reportedly linked to Crooks. “We’ve had next to no information on him, yet we had an avalanche of reporting on the Florida shooter.”
Crabtree also took aim at Congress for what she sees as a total abdication of oversight responsibilities. She noted that there have been no hearings focused on the U.S. Secret Service, even after a failed attempt on Trump’s life in Butler, Pennsylvania. According to Crabtree, a key internal report from the Secret Service about that incident has been classified, meaning even many members of Congress and the DHS Inspector General’s office cannot access it.
Adding to the frustration is the fact that Secret Service Acting Director Ron Rowe, who announced his retirement earlier this year, remains on the payroll in an advisory role. Congress, Crabtree said, has failed to demand accountability or explain Rowe’s continued presence.
Despite some hope that new leadership under Patel and Bonino would bring greater transparency, Crabtree warned that the inertia within the FBI and Secret Service may be more difficult to overcome than Trump’s team anticipated. “It’s been almost four months, and we still don’t have a timeline,” she said. “I do believe they are trying, but they need to tell the public when they plan to release the information.”
Crabtree also commented on the agency’s morale and recruitment woes, noting reports of widespread dissatisfaction among Secret Service agents. Meanwhile, millions of dollars are being spent on glossy recruitment videos—including one produced for the Super Bowl that never aired.
“They’re not investing in reforms,” she said. “They’re investing in image management.”
The conversation also turned to former FBI Director James Comey, whose cryptic social media posts have reignited debate about his judgment and public persona. Crabtree characterized Comey as a man repeatedly making poor decisions in pursuit of personal publicity, dating back to his controversial handling of the Clinton email investigation.
As more documents related to the Russian collusion investigation are expected to be released in the coming weeks, Crabtree remained skeptical that they would offer anything new. She said it was time for the agency to stop deflecting and start delivering answers.
“The American people have waited long enough,” she said. “Without a clear plan for transparency, trust in these institutions will continue to erode.”