The FBI has unveiled new information regarding the investigation into the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The attack, which occurred at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024, was carried out by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. Despite extensive investigation, authorities have yet to uncover a definitive motive for the shooting.
Key Points From The FBI’s Investigation
👉 Crooks engaged in “detailed attack planning” well in advance of the rally.
👉 The shooter’s online search history provided insights into his mindset but not a clear motive.
👉 Crooks searched for campaign events of both Trump and President Biden.
👉 The FBI found evidence of searches related to explosive devices dating back to 2019.
👉 No co-conspirators or foreign entities were involved in directing the attack.
👉 Investigators have not identified a specific political ideology associated with Crooks.
👉 The shooter’s family has been cooperative with the investigation.
Extensive Online Search History
Kevin Rojek, a special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, revealed that Crooks’ online activity provided valuable insights into his preparations for the attack. As early as September 2023, Crooks searched for Trump’s campaign schedule and upcoming Pennsylvania appearances. However, Trump wasn’t the only potential target in Crooks’ sights.
Between April and July 2024, Crooks conducted searches for campaign events for both Trump and President Biden, particularly those scheduled in western Pennsylvania. On July 5, he specifically searched for information about the Democratic and Republican National Conventions for the 2024 presidential election. In the 30 days leading up to the attack, Crooks performed over 60 searches related to either Biden or Trump.
Long-Term Interest In Explosives
The investigation uncovered a disturbing pattern of searches related to explosive devices dating back to September 2019. Crooks repeatedly looked up information on “detonating cord,” “blasting cap,” “how to make a bomb from fertilizer,” and “how do remote detonators work.” He also searched for materials commonly used in manufacturing explosive devices, such as ammonium nitrate and nitromethane.
These searches correlate with the discovery of two explosive devices in Crooks’ car at the scene of the attack. FBI Director Christopher Wray had previously testified that these devices were equipped with receivers for remote detonation, though they were switched off at the time of the incident.
Lack Of Clear Motive Or Ideology
Robert Wells, executive assistant director of the FBI’s national security branch, emphasized that despite a thorough investigation, no clear motive has been established for Crooks’ actions. The FBI has not identified any co-conspirators or associates who had prior knowledge of the attack. Furthermore, there is no evidence to suggest that Crooks was directed by any foreign entity.
Agent Rojek stated that investigators have been unable to determine whether Crooks held partisan political views. “We’ve seen no definitive ideology associated with our subject, either left-leaning or right-leaning. It’s really been a mixture and something that we’re still attempting to analyze and draw conclusions on,” Rojek explained.
Alleged Antisemitic Posts And Online Activity
The FBI addressed previous testimony by FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate regarding potentially extremist views expressed through a social media account believed to belong to Crooks. Abbate had mentioned over 700 comments between 2019 and 2020, including antisemitic and anti-immigration messages. However, Agent Rojek clarified that while these statements were associated with accounts linked to Crooks, the FBI is still working to confirm whether Crooks himself made these posts.
Detailed Preparation For The Attack
In the days leading up to the assassination attempt, Crooks conducted specific searches related to the Butler campaign event. On July 6, he looked up details about the event setup, including searches for “Where will Trump speak from at Butler Farm Show,” “Butler Farm Show podium,” and “Butler Farm Show photos.” He also searched for a “ballistic calculator” on July 9 and checked the weather in Butler on July 10.
Ongoing Investigation And Cooperation
The FBI continues to work closely with Crooks’ family members, who have been described as “extremely cooperative” throughout the investigation. Law enforcement has completed its analysis of Crooks’ body, which revealed that he died from a single gunshot wound to the head and was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the attack.
Investigators have successfully accessed Crooks’ overseas encrypted email accounts and are continuing to analyze their contents. The FBI has also confirmed that the AR-style 556 rifle used in the attack is operational and has been test-fired, with casings found at the scene matching the weapon.
Implications For Secret Service And Political Security
The assassination attempt has had significant repercussions for the United States Secret Service. Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned under intense pressure following the security breach that allowed Crooks to obtain a clear line of fire on Trump. The incident has sparked ongoing discussions about the need for improved security measures at political events, particularly as the 2024 presidential election approaches.
As the investigation continues, the FBI remains committed to uncovering all aspects of this tragic event. The bureau has conducted nearly 1,000 interviews, issued dozens of subpoenas, and analyzed hundreds of hours of video footage in its pursuit of answers. While many questions have been answered, the central mystery of Crooks’ motivation remains elusive, leaving both investigators and the public searching for clarity in the wake of this shocking attack on American democracy.
