The FBI has unveiled additional details regarding Thomas Crooks following criticisms over its perceived lack of transparency in the investigation.
In July 2024, Crooks attempted to assassinate the then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. Though he managed to shoot Trump in the ear, the injuries were not severe. Trump was swiftly attended to by the Secret Service and removed from the scene after the attack.
Crooks was subsequently found on the roof of a nearby building and was fatally shot by the Secret Service.
More than a year after this incident, which also resulted in the death of rally-goer Corey Comperatore, the FBI had not released much information regarding the investigation into Crooks.
This lack of information has led to accusations against the agency for withholding details.
Tucker Carlson is one individual who has been outspoken in his criticisms.
During his podcast earlier this month, Carlson expressed (as reported by The Independent): “Thomas Crooks came within a quarter inch of destroying this country, and yet, a year and a half later, we still know almost nothing about him or why he did it.”
“That’s because, for some reason, the FBI, even the current FBI, doesn’t want us to know,” he further stated.
Amid the criticism, new details about the investigation into Crooks have been made public, confirming that the 20-year-old acted independently.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino informed Fox News that ‘it is the FBI’s conclusion that Crooks acted alone’.
Addressing theories about foreign involvement, it was clarified: “There is no foreign connection in this case. There is no individual that is outside US borders or inside US borders that had any role in directing him, inspiring him, or assisting him in any way — and that includes foreign governments.”
Bongino also tackled questions regarding Crooks’ motivations.
“We have reviewed this case over and over — looked into every nugget,” he declared. “We have spoken to the families, the president — there is no cover-up here. There is no motive for it, there is no reason for it.”
It is reported that over 400 people were involved in the investigation ‘in some way, shape, or form’, with agents from around the world conducting more than 1,000 interviews related to this case.
The case is currently ‘pending’ and ‘inactive’, as stated by a senior official who provided information to Fox News under the condition of anonymity.