President Donald on Friday declined to say whether cartels or foreign nationals were involved in the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie.
"You can't say that yet," Trump told reporters outside the White House. "It's a little bit early. Somebody either knew what they were doing very well or they were rank amateurs. Either way, it's not a good situation."
Trump's comments come after recent speculation that Guthrie's disappearance was tied to cartels.
Guthrie, the mother of "Today" show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her residence on Jan. 31 and was reported missing on Feb. 1. Authorities believe she was abducted from her home in Tucson, which is about 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Trump was also pressed on why the FBI hasn't taken over the high-profile case as lead investigator. He then suggested there was progress in the Nancy Guthrie case when the FBI got involved.
“Well, they took it over originally. You know, it was a local case originally. They didn’t want to let go of it, which is fine. It’s up to them. It’s really up to the community. But ultimately, when the FBI got involved, I think, you know, progress has been made.”
The FBI Operational Technology Division conducted a forensic analysis of the doorbell camera footage and released identifying details about the suspect. The video was recovered by the FBI from residual data located in backend systems after the suspect disconnected the camera, which didn't have a subscription service. -- 📺 Watch NTD News 24/7 on cable, broadcast, and streaming: https://www.ntd.com/watch
President Trump today responding to reporter questions about the Nancy Guthrie case.
Meanwhile, authorities provide new details about a possible suspect.
NTD's Arlene Richards has the latest.
Can't say that yet.
President Trump responding to a Fox News reporter asking whether he thinks
cartels are involved in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance.
But it's somebody either knew what they were doing very well or they were rank amateurs.
Either way, it's not a good situation.
So far, authorities report they have thousands of leads in the Search for Today show host
Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother, but they still don't know where she is.
After agents used specialized equipment to analyze the scene of her disappearance,
the FBI now describes the man seen on surveillance video from Nancy Guthrie's
doorbell camera as having a height of 5'9 to 5'10 with an average build.
They're also giving more details on the type of backpack the man was wearing.
And what the FBI will do is they'll start with the realm of the possible.
How many of these backpacks were sold?
When they were sold?
The backpack depicted in photographs is an Ozark Trail hiker pack.
The FBI has increased its reward to $100,000.
Also, a public plea from the Pima County Sheriff's Department asking for any video
from the area taken between January 1st and February 2nd.
The community alert was sent to residents who live within a two-mile radius of Nancy Guthrie's home.
Meanwhile, the Sheriff's Department confirmed to media outlets on Thursday
that investigators have recovered several items, including black gloves.
They're going to check this thing every possible scientific way
for anything that can bring them to a clue or a person.
According to Sheriff Chris Nanos, DNA testing is now being conducted at a Florida lab where
all evidence has been submitted for analysis.
On Friday, Nanos denied media allegations that he's withholding evidence from the FBI.
The same day, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt
answering a question from Fox News about an alleged dispute between the Sheriff and the FBI.
The FBI has been on the ground.
In fact, Director Patel himself was on the ground in Arizona this week.
And we are offering the full resources and weight of the federal government
to help local authorities bringing this case to an end to bring Nancy Guthrie home.
Leavitt, who said she spoke with FBI Director Kash Patel,
said in order for the bureau to take over the case,
local authorities would have to hand it over to them.
President Trump on Friday responding similarly
when a Fox News reporter asked why the FBI hasn't taken over the investigation.
It was a local case originally, and they didn't want to let go of it,
which is fine. It's up to them. It's really up to the community.
Sheriff Nanos maintains that he has a good relationship with the FBI.
There is no egos. Nobody's the lead.
It is. Find Nancy.
His office in an ex-post on Friday saying again that the Sheriff isn't scheduling a
press conference unless there are significant developments.
Marlene Richards, NTD News.
