During a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, FBI Director Christopher Wray provided detailed information regarding the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania. The hearing revealed several key findings about the attacker, Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old resident of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
According to Wray, Crooks had conducted online searches related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy prior to the rally. On July 6, the same day he registered for the rally, Crooks searched for details about the distance between Lee Harvey Oswald and Kennedy at the time of the 1963 shooting. This search is considered significant in assessing his state of mind.
Wray also disclosed that Crooks utilized a drone to survey the area near the rally site approximately two hours before the attack. The drone footage, which was recovered from Crooks’ vehicle, provided a live feed of the surroundings but not directly above the rally stage. Crooks was found to have used a rifle with a collapsible stock, which may have helped him conceal the weapon before climbing onto the building’s roof.
Investigators found two explosive devices in Crooks’ car and one in his home. However, Wray noted that the devices were likely not operable from the rooftop due to the positioning of their receivers. Crooks fired approximately eight shots at Trump before being fatally shot by a Secret Service counter-sniper. The rifle used in the attack was legally purchased from Crooks’ father.
The FBI is treating the incident as both an attempted assassination and a potential act of domestic terrorism. Wray emphasized that Crooks appeared to act alone, and the investigation into his motives is ongoing. No evidence of accomplices has been found thus far.
The hearing also touched on political dimensions, with Republicans questioning Wray about Vice President Kamala Harris’ role and border policy, while Democrats raised concerns about FBI hiring practices and Project 2025, a conservative proposal for FBI restructuring. Wray declined to provide specifics on his interactions with Harris and expressed his opposition to proposals that would compromise the FBI’s independence.
The investigation continues as federal officials examine the security lapses that allowed the attack to occur and address concerns about political violence in a contentious election year.
Perspective:
Detailed Investigation Findings
Key Points:
Thomas Matthew Crooks searched for information about the assassination of John F. Kennedy shortly before attempting to kill Trump
Crooks used a collapsible stock rifle and a drone to survey the area before the attack
The FBI believes Crooks acted alone and is investigating the shooting as both an attempted assassination and a potential act of domestic terrorism
Details about the security failures leading to the attack are under review by different agencies
Perspective:
Political and Security Context
Key Points:
The House Judiciary Committee hearing on the attack included partisan debate, with Republicans linking the attack to Vice President Kamala Harris and Democrats pressing for information on FBI hiring standards
There was criticism of the security arrangements leading up to the attack and a focus on the implications for political violence
FBI Director Christopher Wray faced questions about his interactions with Vice President Harris and the investigation’s progress
Combined News Article: