Trump shooter Crooks used encrypted messaging apps in multiple countries, including Belgium and Germany

Rep. Mike Waltz, (inset) Thomas Mathew Crooks (Image: X)

Michael Waltz, a member of a congressional task force probing Donald Trump's assassination attempt has revealed that the rally gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks used encrypted messaging accounts on various platforms located in Belgium, New Zealand and Germany, a New York Times report said.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday at the Trump Hotel Chicago revealed how, the “overseas accounts” piqued his suspicion immediately regarding the shooter’s "motives".

The media outlet quoted Waltz as saying, “Why does a kid who is a health care aide need encrypted platforms not even based in the United States, but based abroad – where most terrorist organizations know it is harder for our law enforcement to get into?”

Waltz expressed concern, stating that it was a question they had since the beginning, before criticising the US Secret Service and FBI for withholding the full findings of their investigation into the July 13 shooting at a Trump rally.

“They need to release information as they uncover it because this wasn’t an isolated incident. The threats are ongoing,” Representative Waltz asserted, referring an alleged “sophisticated plot” by a Pakistani national who supposedly hired hitmen to assassinate Trump and other US officials.

The FBI is expected to brief task force members later on Wednesday, and Waltz, a Florida congressman and retired Green Beret, expressed hope that the briefing would provide clarity on what he described as a “ridiculously flawed” security setup for the Trump campaign event in Pennsylvania.

Waltz also anticipated that the information would reveal who remained responsible for security operations, including the Secret Service agent in charge of surveying the Butler rally site, and whether they deserved accountability.

20-year-old Thomas Mathew Crooks opened fire onto the main stage minutes after former US President Donald Trump appeared to address the crowd, striking him in the right ear.

While a rally goer was killed and two others were seriously injured in the firing.