During testimony before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, FBI Director Christopher Wray revealed that the 20-year-old gunman who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump had conducted an online search related to the John F. Kennedy assassination just as he began focusing on the Republican presidential candidate.
Wray disclosed that Thomas Crooks, the suspect, had visited the Trump rally site in Butler, Pennsylvania, on two occasions before climbing onto a nearby building’s roof on July 13.
From there, he fired at least eight rounds, injuring Trump and others.
Wray highlighted that analysis of a laptop linked to Crooks showed a Google search on July 6 for “how far away was Oswald from Kennedy,” referencing Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated President Kennedy in 1963.
“That’s a significant search in terms of his state of mind,” Wray remarked, noting it coincided with Crooks registering for the Butler rally.
He emphasized Crooks’ escalating focus on Trump and the rally after initially showing interest in various public figures.
Moments before the shooting, Crooks flew a drone over the rally area, live-streaming footage near the stage where Trump was speaking.
Law enforcement spotted Crooks on the roof just seconds before he opened fire with his AR-15-style rifle, which had a collapsible stock that made it less conspicuous.
Explosive devices found in Crooks’ car and home were designed for remote detonation, with a transmitter in his possession, though Wray assured that the FBI believed Crooks would not have succeeded in detonating them.
The motive behind the assassination attempt remains unclear, with Wray describing Crooks as a loner based on his limited contacts.
The incident has underscored concerns about the heightened political tensions during the presidential campaign.
Wray’s testimony followed the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle amidst criticism over the security lapse.
Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan acknowledged the FBI’s disclosures but also noted skepticism among some Republicans regarding the FBI’s impartiality, particularly following the arrest of Trump supporters involved in the Capitol riot.
Meanwhile, Representative Jerrold Nadler, the committee’s top Democrat, condemned the assassination attempt unequivocally while linking it to broader political violence and rhetoric over recent years.
Overall, Wray’s testimony provided critical insights into the ongoing investigation into the attempt on Trump’s life, highlighting the complexities and challenges faced by law enforcement in a charged political climate.
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