FBI unable to access Trump shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks' emails due to their 'encrypted nature'

BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA: Federal investigators do not have full access to emails sent by Thomas Matthew Crooks, the slain 20-year-old who tried to kill Donald Trump, according to information disclosed by FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate on Tuesday, July 30. 

"I think we've experienced a range of returns because some of the applications that he was using online were encrypted in nature," Abbate said while testifying before members of the Senate Homeland Security Committee and Judiciary Committee, per Fox News.

"Some of the email accounts will be broken into them. There are some that we have not been able to get information back because of their encrypted nature," he said.

Sen Lindsey Graham asked FBI's Paul Abbate about Thomas Matthew Crooks' obtained electronic devices

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Paul Abbate over Thomas Matthew Crooks' electronics, which the federal agency had obtained, and he responded by acknowledging that the agency does not fully understand the material on his cellphone.

"So you're telling me the guy that took eight shots at the former president has apps and that we can't get into," Graham repeated. "Maybe if you could get into it, it would reveal some relevant information."

"That is correct, Senator," Abbate replied.

"So if he were talking to some foreign power and I don't think any foreign power would hire this guy, but if this was some great plot by the Iranians," Graham said, asking, "How do we solve this problem?"

Abbate responded, "Senator, you know, as we've been saying, we need a solution that provides lawful access."

FBI previously said it had 'successfully gained access' to Thomas Matthew Crooks' phone

"FBI technical specialists successfully gained access to Thomas Matthew Crooks’ phone, and they continue to analyze his electronic devices," the agency wrote in a press release.

On a Monday teleconference with reporters, FBI officials did admit that encryption has been difficult, especially when it comes to encrypted email accounts with overseas addresses. Although there has been no evidence of international involvement with Crooks' plot, according to the FBI, investigators have encountered hurdles in accessing those accounts.

The joint session with senior FBI and Secret Service representatives is the third congressional hearing concerning the shooting incident at Trump's Pennsylvania rally that left one attendee dead and the former president and two others injured in less than a week.

Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle announced her resignation due to the aftermath from the July 13 incident. She received harsh criticism after testifying before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.

Ronald Rowe, the agency's deputy director, was subsequently appointed as acting director of the US Secret Service.

Internet lashes out at FBI for failing to access Thomas Matthew Crooks' emails

Netizens slammed the US authorities for not being able to access Donald Trump's 20-year-old shooter's email records till now.

One X user tweeted, "Or to put it another way, the @FBI still hasn't finished fabricating the shooter's online activity to help sell the 'lone wolf' narrative."

"Come on now. You know that isn't true," added another. 

"If they can't gain access to it, that means that someone scrubbed it. Like with bleach bit and other unknown CIA style scrubbers. Seems like the government can find everything in Republicans but nothing on Dems," remarked one.

Someone else wrote, "They do, they just haven’t finished scrubbing what they can yet."

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