Topic: Thomas Crooks

The FBI released new images of the gun and explosives used by Thomas Crooks in the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. Investigators revealed that Crooks was on the roof for six minutes before firing. Despite extensive analysis of his digital history, the FBI maintains that no clear motive has been established.

New body cam footage from the July 13th assassination attempt on Donald Trump shows local law enforcement claiming they warned the Secret Service about the lack of roof security days prior. There are also allegations that former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle sought to destroy evidence related to a partial DNA hit on cocaine found in the White House.

Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe's press conference regarding the Butler, Pennsylvania, shooting is analyzed. Rowe admitted that Secret Service personnel were not in the local command post and could not hear radio traffic about the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks. The failure is blamed on a lack of a unified command structure and poor coordination with local law enforcement.

The FBI is investigating a Gab account linked to Thomas Crooks that reportedly contained pro-immigration and pro-lockdown posts from 2021. Local law enforcement officers in Butler, Pennsylvania, stated they had no face-to-face briefing with Secret Service snipers on the day of the shooting. Local snipers had shared photos of Crooks acting suspiciously via text group 30 minutes before the shots were fired, but the information was "siloed."

FBI Director Christopher Wray testified that gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks searched for "How far away was Oswald from Kennedy?" on the day he registered for the Trump rally. Wray also revealed that Crooks flew a drone in the vicinity of the rally site approximately two hours before the shooting. Technical discrepancies regarding the drone's flight logs and the timing of the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) are discussed.

FBI Director Christopher Wray noted that the Trump shooter used encrypted messaging applications, which has complicated the investigation into his motives. Despite these challenges, the FBI was able to access search data from the shooter's devices. The segment questions why specific apps were not named and suggests that the FBI may have direct portals to access data from tech partners.

The investigation into Thomas Matthew Crooks reveals a confusing profile of a shooter who searched for information on both Biden and Trump, as well as the FBI director. While some theorists suggest multiple shooters or a "false flag," the prevailing evidence points toward a security failure that allowed a "rogue" individual to access a roof within line-of-sight of the former president.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Thomas Matthew Crooks flew a drone over the Butler rally site to scout the area hours before the shooting. This occurred despite a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) being in place, raising questions about why the Secret Service or DHS did not detect or jam the unmanned aircraft.

Speculation has emerged regarding whether the Butler shooting was an FBI-style "entrapment" operation that went wrong. Thomas Matthew Crooks reportedly posted a message on the gaming platform Steam stating "July 13th will be my premiere," and was found with explosive devices in his car. Local law enforcement and the Secret Service continue to trade blame over who was responsible for securing the building located 148 yards from the podium.

Initial media reports suggesting an Iranian plot to assassinate Donald Trump have shifted toward a narrative focusing on the shooter's psychological state as a "loner" and "gamer." CNN analysts described Thomas Matthew Crooks as someone "scrambling for an ideology" who may have targeted the Butler rally due to its geographic proximity. Meanwhile, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle's explanation that the roof was too sloped for agents has been widely mocked online.

New details reveal that Thomas Matthew Crooks was identified as suspicious three hours before the shooting when he was seen with a rangefinder. A Butler Township police officer reportedly attempted to access the roof but retreated after Crooks pointed a rifle at him, with the shooting beginning moments later. Some analysts suggest the presence of non-functional explosive devices in Crooks' vehicle aligns with patterns seen in previous FBI-monitored domestic terror cases.

International reporting from France 24 provides details on the shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, noting he used a rifle legally purchased by his father. Tactical analysis highlights that the shooter was positioned on an unsecured roof approximately 150 meters from the stage. This distance is noted as the standard qualification range for military marksmanship with an M16.

The hosts compare Trump's survival to an anecdote about George Washington surviving multiple shots through his coat during the French and Indian War. They also address a viral video of a man claiming to be Thomas Matthew Crooks saying "I hate Republicans," which they identify as a likely troll. A list of "33" numerology coincidences related to the shooting is briefly mentioned.