President Donald Trump alleged on Tuesday that the 2024 assassination attempt during his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, was a “Democratic Plot” designed to remove him from the election. The incident, which resulted in one death and two injuries, remains a focal point of political tension as Trump criticized the FBI’s handling of the investigation under the previous administration.
Trump directed sharp criticism toward former FBI Director Christopher Wray, stating the former director “should pay a price” for the agency’s investigative conduct. Trump did not substantiate his claim of a broader political conspiracy, though he asserted that much of the investigation file was missing when he took office and referenced recently discovered documents without providing specifics.
“This was all a Democrat Plot, to get me out of the Election, that failed. Dirty Cop Christopher Wray should pay a price for the way he handled this assassination attempt, and certainly for the things he said,” Trump posted on social media. Wray, whom Trump had appointed during his first term, resigned prior to the start of his second term, citing concerns that dismissal could destabilize the bureau. He declined to comment immediately upon request from ABC News.
During a Senate Oversight Committee hearing, FBI Director Kash Patel reported that investigators found no evidence linking the suspected shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, to any external conspirators. Patel testified that Crooks appeared isolated, noting that his agency found no evidence he spoke to anyone other than his parents, with whom he resided.
Attorney General Todd Blanche also declined to produce evidence supporting the president’s claims of a plot. He clarified that the “new information” referenced by Trump consisted of FBI documents produced in response to a Senate inquiry regarding Crooks’ background and history. When asked if the Department of Justice would take punitive action against anyone following Trump’s suggestion that Wray should face consequences, Blanche stated, “The Department of Justice doesn’t punish.”
Blanche expressed solidarity with the president’s frustration regarding the FBI’s leadership prior to the shooting. “That’s the same organization that was simultaneously trying to put him in prison till he dies,” Blanche said, describing the agency’s efforts under former leadership. He added that Patel has undertaken a significant effort to review documents to determine what may have been missed.
Recent reports from Fox News and The New York Post indicated that federal documents show Crooks used the alias “Bob Dole” to order suspicious packages and that his body was cremated following the shooting, with costs covered by an anonymous donor. However, these outlets did not report evidence of a conspiracy behind the attack, and ABC News has not independently verified the documents.
The assassination attempt occurred on July 13, 2024, when Crooks fired from the roof of a nearby building. The Secret Service confirmed that Trump was struck in the ear by a bullet from Crooks’ rifle.
I am surprised how quickly facts were ignored here. One death, two injured, and it is already weaponized before the dust settled.
Wray resigned on principle. That says more than any press conference ever could.
Patel said no links found. Why is the President still pushing a theory that the FBI itself has debunked?
Wait, if Crooks used ‘Bob Dole’ as an alias, isn’t that at least a little ironic? Hope this wasn’t some dark joke.
No evidence, just claims. This feels less like an investigation and more like political theater for the base.