FBI Reveals Detailed Planning in Trump Assassination Attempt

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has disclosed new information regarding the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. The incident, which occurred approximately one month ago, has prompted an extensive investigation involving nearly 1,000 interviews.

Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Pittsburgh field office, revealed that the perpetrator, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, conducted "extensive attack planning" prior to the event. Investigators discovered that Crooks had researched both Trump and current President Joe Biden's campaign events, with a particular focus on western Pennsylvania.

The FBI's analysis of Crooks' online search history unveiled a "sustained, detailed effort to plan an attack on some event," according to Rojek. Once the Trump rally in Butler was announced, Crooks "became hyper-focused on that specific event and looked at it as a target of opportunity." In the 30 days leading up to the attack, Crooks performed over 60 internet searches related to both Biden and Trump, including queries about the Democratic and Republican national conventions.

"One week before the shooting, Crooks did a Google search for 'How far away was Oswald from Kennedy?'"

This search, referencing Lee Harvey Oswald's assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, adds to the complex profile of the attacker. The FBI's investigation has also revealed Crooks' long-standing interest in explosives, with internet searches dating back to 2019 focusing on bomb-making materials and remote detonators.

Despite the extensive research conducted by Crooks, the FBI has not yet established a clear motive for the attack. Rojek stated, "We have a clear idea of mindset, but we are not ready to make any conclusive statements regarding motive at this time." The investigation has not found evidence of anyone else having advance knowledge of the shooting or of Crooks conspiring with others.

The attack resulted in Trump being struck in the ear by a bullet or bullet fragment. Crooks fired eight shots from an AR-style rifle, killing one rallygoer and injuring two others before being fatally shot by a Secret Service counter-sniper. The gunman was positioned on a building roof less than 150 yards from the event.

In addition to the rifle, the FBI discovered explosive devices in Crooks' car and home. The bureau has released images of the weapon, Crooks' backpack, and the improvised explosive devices found in his vehicle.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in preventing lone-wolf attacks and the importance of thorough digital forensics in modern investigations. As the investigation continues, authorities remain committed to understanding the full scope of Crooks' motivations and any potential wider implications for political security.