The FBI has released new details regarding last month’s assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, revealing that the shooter was not politically motivated. Investigators have yet to establish a clear motive, but the agency’s findings indicate that the gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, could have just as easily targeted President Joe Biden.
In a briefing on Wednesday, Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, provided insight into the extensive planning that preceded the July 13 attack at a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Despite conducting nearly 1,000 interviews, investigators have not uncovered a specific reason for why Crooks chose to target Trump at that particular event.
The FBI’s analysis of Crooks’ online search history shows that he spent significant time researching events involving both Trump and Biden, repeatedly looking up information about explosives, and scouting for potential opportunities to carry out an attack. Rojek noted that Crooks appeared to be fixated on finding a high-profile event to target, rather than being driven by a specific political ideology.
Once the Trump rally in Butler was announced, Crooks shifted his focus, viewing it as a “target of opportunity.” In the days leading up to the rally, Crooks conducted numerous internet searches related to the event’s location, including queries such as “Where will Trump speak from at Butler Farm Show?” and “Butler Farm Show podium.”
Rojek emphasized that while Crooks’ actions displayed “a sustained, detailed effort to plan an attack,” there is no evidence to suggest that the shooting was politically motivated. Instead, the FBI believes Crooks was looking for any prominent event that would provide a suitable opportunity for an attack.
The investigation into Crooks’ background and motives is ongoing, with the FBI continuing to piece together the factors that led to the July 13 assassination attempt. The incident has heightened security concerns for both current and former political leaders, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election.
