Victims of Trump assassinations could sue, says their lawyer

A lawyer representing two people injured in the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump said lawsuits could be filed.

Joseph Feldman, an attorney with the Max C. Feldman law firm who represents 74-year-old James Copenhaver and 57-year-old David Dutch, told Fox News Digital that they may have to file lawsuits to get the “answers” his clients demanded after the July 13 shooting in Pennsylvania.

Copenhaver and Dutch were both seriously injured after Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire on Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, at a campaign rally in Butler. Rally attendee Corey Comperatore, 50, was killed in the attack and Trump suffered minor injuries to his ear.

The Secret Service was criticized for the security lapse that allowed Crooks to climb onto a nearby rooftop armed with an AR-15 rifle to shoot Trump. Crooks also flew a drone over the rally site hours before Trump's speech.

Feldman said that once the preliminary and external investigations are completed – including an investigation by a bipartisan congressional task force – he, as the legal team for Copenhaver and Dutch, will have “a little better idea of ​​exactly what we're going to do.”

“There are definitely answers due. They definitely want answers,” Feldman said. “I know some of these organizations or government agencies have tried to take responsibility for what happened that day. I don't think enough responsibility has been taken yet.”

“I think we'll get to the bottom of this at some point, whether through the task force, through these investigations or if we actually have to file a lawsuit. We'll definitely get answers through that process,” Feldman said.

Newsweek has emailed the Secret Service for comment.

Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned on July 23, a day after being questioned by members of Congress on the House Oversight Committee about the security lapses that led to the assassination.

At least five Secret Service agents were reportedly placed on leave following the shooting.

Crooks was killed by the Secret Service shortly after he opened fire on Trump. To date, authorities have not been able to establish a valid motive for the attempted murder.

Feldman said his investigation on behalf of his clients had been hampered because the criminal investigation was taking place behind closed doors.

“I don't have access to the 911 calls. I don't have access to the firearm. I don't have access to the actual autopsy reports on Thomas Crooks. I don't even have access to all the victims who were present that day,” Feldman said.

“At some point we will have access to all of this information because it will come to light as part of a potential legal process. We will have access to almost everything, if not everything. So right now we are limited in what we can do – I guess we have launched a full investigation. It will come to light.”

The AR-15 rifle Crooks used in the shooting was given to him by his father and purchased legally. Crooks also legally purchased 50 rounds of ammunition on the morning of the rally.