FBI: Trump Shooter Investigated Historical Assassination Distance

In a testimony before Congress on Wednesday, FBI Director Christopher Wray unveiled critical details about the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. The shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, had conducted a troubling search on his laptop just a week before the attack. On July 6, Crooks searched for “How far away was Oswald from Kennedy?” This search aimed to determine the distance between Lee Harvey Oswald and President John F. Kennedy during the assassination in Dallas in 1963. This information, coupled with other findings, has raised significant questions about Crooks’ motivations and influences.

Wray elaborated on the FBI’s investigation, revealing that Crooks, a 20-year-old registered Republican, had left behind critical evidence in his vehicle. Agents found two explosive devices, described as “relatively crude,” indicating that Crooks had attempted to build improvised explosive materials. Although these devices were not highly sophisticated, they could have been remotely detonated, as Crooks was found to possess a transmitter. The presence of these devices underscores the potential severity of the attack and suggests a degree of premeditation on Crooks’ part.

Further complicating the investigation, Crooks operated a drone from approximately 200 yards away from the rally stage in Butler, Pennsylvania. This drone was used to broadcast a live stream roughly two hours before Trump’s appearance, adding a layer of technological planning to the attack. This detail points to a broader scheme that involved both physical and digital elements.

Despite these discoveries, the exact motive behind Crooks’ actions remains elusive. Wray addressed the broader issue of politically motivated violence during his testimony. He noted a disturbing trend where passionate political rhetoric is increasingly translating into actual violence and threats. This pattern was highlighted by recent violent incidents, including an attack on Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s husband, which Wray described as part of a larger, troubling phenomenon.

In a related development, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned on Tuesday following mounting criticism of the agency’s handling of security at the rally. Cheatle’s resignation came in the wake of significant bipartisan scrutiny. House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., and Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., issued a joint statement condemning Cheatle’s performance. They criticized her for failing to provide satisfactory answers regarding the security failure, labeling it as the “most significant operational failure” in the agency’s history. Cheatle admitted during a hearing that the assassination attempt represented a major lapse in the agency’s security measures.

The attack on July 13 saw Trump narrowly escape a serious injury when a bullet grazed his right ear. The shooting resulted in one death and two severe injuries among attendees. Despite the chaos, Trump managed to resume his stance, raising his fist and urging his supporters to “fight.” Crooks, who had previously donated to a Democratic organization, was not flagged by the FBI prior to the event. Cheatle acknowledged that while Crooks was considered “suspicious,” he was not categorized as a “threat” before the rally. Investigators also uncovered that Crooks had recently expressed his plans on the gaming platform Steam, where he wrote, “July 13 will be my premiere, watch as it unfolds.” This statement, along with his recent searches for information on Trump’s rally, suggests a deliberate and planned attack.

As the investigation continues, authorities are working to understand the full scope of Crooks’ motivations and the implications of this violent act on future security measures.