The FBI has revealed unsettling new information about Thomas Matthew Crooks, the individual accused of attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump. According to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Crooks had searched online for details about President John F. Kennedy's assassination and had used a drone for surveillance near the rally site just hours before Trump took the stage on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania.
During a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, Wray disclosed that Crooks had searched Google on July 6 for "how far away was Oswald from Kennedy," coinciding with the day he registered for the Trump rally. "That's a search that's obviously significant in terms of his state of mind," Wray noted.
Further investigation revealed that around 4 p.m. on the day of the rally, Crooks flew a drone approximately 200 yards from the stage, capturing live footage for about 11 minutes. This footage provided Crooks with a comprehensive view of the area behind him, similar to a rear-view mirror, according to Wray. The drone was later found in Crooks' car following the shooting.
In addition to the drone, Crooks had two explosives in his car and one at his home. However, Wray indicated that Crooks likely did not have the capability to detonate these devices from the roof where he was positioned. "It looks like because of the on/off position on the receivers, that if he had tried to detonate those devices from the roof, it would not have worked," Wray explained.
Crooks fired approximately eight times from an AR-style rifle at the former president before being killed by a U.S. Secret Service counter sniper. The rifle, which had a collapsible stock, was legally purchased from his father. Initially, officials believed the firearm belonged to Crooks' father and were uncertain how Crooks accessed it.
The FBI is treating the shooting as both an attempted assassination and a potential act of domestic terrorism. Wray emphasized that there is no evidence of any co-conspirators and that Crooks acted alone. "I have been saying for some time now that we are living in an elevated threat environment," Wray said. "The shooter may be deceased, but the FBI's investigation is ongoing."
Despite an extensive investigation into Crooks' phone, computer, search history, and personal contacts, the FBI has yet to determine a clear motive. Crooks, a nursing home aide, had no prior contact with the FBI and was not previously on their radar. Wray also addressed misleading reports about Crooks' online searches, clarifying that he appeared to be searching for news articles rather than specific images of public figures.
Wray warned of the increasing dangers faced by prominent public officials. "It is, quite frankly, a dangerous time to be a prominent public official," he stated. He also highlighted a recent Iranian plot to assassinate former President Trump, emphasizing the "brazenness" of the Iranian regime. "I think we need to recognize the brazenness of the Iranian regime, including right here in the United States, and I expect that we're going to see more of it," Wray said.
The hearing also delved into the political implications of the attempted assassination. Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff used the opportunity to criticize the Republican Party's decision to nominate Trump, a convicted felon, for the 2024 presidential election. Schiff highlighted the FBI's stringent hiring standards to contrast with the Republican Party's nomination. "Clearly, the bureau has higher standards for their hiring than one of America's great political parties," Schiff remarked.
Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan expressed skepticism about the FBI's ability to conduct a fair and transparent investigation. "I'm sure you understand that a significant portion of the country has a healthy skepticism regarding the FBI's ability to conduct a fair, honest, open and transparent investigation," Jordan said.
