In an exclusive interview with investigative journalist Catherine Herridge, FBI Director Kash Patel revealed that Thomas Matthew Crooks' deep-seated animosity towards the U.S. government and bipartisan system was a significant factor in his attempt to assassinate President Donald Trump on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania.
This revelation diverges from previous FBI statements, which had claimed an inability to pinpoint a motive or ideology behind the assassination attempt.
According to Conservative Daily News, Patel's interview with Herridge on her show "Straight to the Point" by the Los Angeles Times Media Group, shed new light on the case. The FBI director confirmed that President Trump was "satisfied" with the bureau's investigation into the incident, although he refrained from declaring the case officially closed.
Patel elaborated on Crooks' motive, stating, "He [Crooks], as has been publicized, had a basically hateful relationship with the United States government, talked disparagingly about both political parties, to include President Trump, and talked about the need to take matters into his own hands. And, unfortunately, thats what he did."
When questioned about the status of the case, Patel explained that cases of such public significance are typically placed in a pending or inactive status. This allows for the possibility of new information to be received and acted upon, without prematurely closing the case.
Patel also highlighted the importance of treating President Trump as both a national leader and a victim, while also acknowledging the other victims of the incident. One such victim was Corey Comperatore, a volunteer firefighter who tragically lost his life protecting his family from Crooks' gunfire at the Trump rally.
Patel stressed, "So, there are certain victims rights that we have to honor. But what we did and what we presented and what we released is the full findings that we are able to publicize to the world that definitively answer questions regarding Butler."
The FBI's investigation included a thorough examination of dozens of devices and online platforms associated with Crooks. Patel assured Herridge that the FBI's evidence conclusively determined that Crooks acted alone in his attempt to assassinate Trump.
When asked about potential foreign involvement, Patel clarified, "As we indicated in our public disclosures, Thomas Crooks had some online platforms where he engaged through email with a couple of individuals overseas, and we chased those down literally to the end. And basically it was just that online email accounts overseas, without any substantive communication."
In the days following the assassination attempt, reports emerged of a purported Iranian plot to kill Trump. However, no link was found between this alleged plot and Crooks' actions. In November 2024, the Department of Justice charged three individuals in connection with the alleged Iranian conspiracy.
Addressing queries about Crooks' online activity prior to the assassination attempt, Patel emphasized the FBI's commitment to upholding First Amendment rights. He stated, "In media, everyones entitled to their opinion, and everyones entitled to put out whatever they want to put out. But what we, the FBI, are not entitled to do is trample over your First Amendment rights."
Patel concluded by reiterating the FBI's responsibility to balance potential criminality against the protection of First Amendment rights, a principle that he affirmed the bureau would continue to uphold.
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