FBI Director Christopher Wray revealed to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee that Thomas Crooks, the 20-year-old gunman who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump, searched for information on the John F. Kennedy assassination before the attack.
On July 6, Crooks Googled "how far away was Oswald from Kennedy," Wray said, indicating a significant insight into his state of mind. This search coincided with Crooks registering for Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Crooks visited the rally site twice before the July 13 incident, where he fired at least eight rounds from a nearby rooftop, wounding Trump and injuring others. Hours before the shooting, he flew a drone over the rally, live-streaming the footage.
Law enforcement noticed Crooks on the roof only seconds before he opened fire. He used an AR-15-style rifle with a collapsible stock, making detection difficult. Devices found in Crooks' car and home were intended for remote detonation, but Wray believes they would not have worked.
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The motive remains unclear, with Crooks described as a loner with few contacts on his phone. The incident highlights the elevated threat environment surrounding the presidential campaign.
Kimberly Cheatle resigned as the U.S. Secret Service director following bipartisan criticism for the failure to prevent the attempt on Trump's life.
Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan acknowledged Wray’s transparency but expressed Republican skepticism towards the FBI due to past actions, including the arrest of Trump supporters after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Representative Jerrold Nadler condemned the violence, emphasizing it as part of ongoing political threats and violent rhetoric, including from Trump. This incident underscores the volatile political climate and the increased dangers it brings.
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