• Patel and Bongino conclude Thomas Matthew Crooks acted alone in Trump assassination attempt after global investigation
• MAGA supporters accuse FBI leadership of cover-up despite hour-long Fox News briefing detailing probe findings
• Investigation involved 485 personnel conducting over 1,000 interviews and reviewing 500,000 digital files from 13 devices

WASHINGTON, D.C. (TDR) — FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino confronted intense online criticism Friday following their exclusive interview with Fox News Digital regarding the investigation into the July 2024 assassination attempt on President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The bureau concluded that Thomas Matthew Crooks acted alone in the shooting that wounded Trump and killed rally attendee Corey Comperatore. The determination followed what officials described as an unprecedented global investigation involving thousands of domestic and foreign interviews.

Extensive investigation detailed

The hour-long briefing Thursday at FBI headquarters walked through every aspect of the case, according to Patel. The investigation deployed 485 personnel who conducted more than 1,000 interviews and processed over 2,000 public tips.

We fully briefed @POTUS on the entire case, and he was satisfied with the work and the results. These are the details the prior administration never released

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Agents executed more than 10 search warrants, issued 100 subpoenas, and examined 35 online accounts linked to Crooks. Investigators seized 13 electronic devices belonging to Crooks and his family, manually reviewing approximately 500,000 digital files, according to FBI officials.

MAGA supporters question findings

Despite the comprehensive briefing, Trump supporters expressed skepticism on social media platform X. MAGA enthusiast @Apack40969 wrote he no longer believes anything from Patel’s statements. Another user, @FrankTheTankUS, accused the FBI of conducting a cover-up and demanded Patel’s removal.

The backlash represents a challenging dynamic for both officials, who built their reputations within conservative media circles before joining the Trump administration. Patel previously served as a congressional staffer and Trump national security aide, while Bongino hosted a popular right-wing podcast before accepting his FBI position.

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Bongino addressed the public’s frustration during the Fox News interview, stating investigators wanted answers as much as anyone. He emphasized that despite exhaustive searches, Crooks left no manifesto or indication of his intentions.

No motive identified despite evidence

Investigators revealed Crooks searched for weather conditions in Butler on the attack day, podium placement, and directions to nearby hospitals. The 20-year-old also searched online for the distance between Lee Harvey Oswald and President John F. Kennedy during the 1963 assassination.

Officials found an undetonated explosive in Crooks’ vehicle that could have been remotely triggered but was never activated. Crooks fired shots using a .223-caliber rifle owned by his father.

Patel referenced former FBI Director Christopher Wray‘s 2024 congressional testimony as potentially fueling unfounded theories. Wray testified he did not know if a bullet hit Trump, despite video evidence showing otherwise.

Investigation transparency emphasized

The FBI controlled the crime scene from July 14 through July 18, 2024, following standard operating procedures. Bongino explained the bureau cleaned the roof with water before releasing the scene to prevent souvenir hunters from accessing blood-stained surfaces.

FBI leadership acknowledged Crooks posted violent, anti-government content online years earlier. However, officials emphasized these posts did not provide legal grounds for investigation at the time, and no tips were submitted about him.

Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the investigation’s thoroughness in a Friday statement, committing to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Patel told Fox News reporter Brooke Singman the investigation remained a Day One priority for the bureau. The officials debunked recent theories suggesting foreign entity involvement, stating their comprehensive global reach found no evidence supporting such claims.

Bongino and Patel repeatedly stressed their review uncovered no cover-up, despite ongoing public speculation. The deputy director stated no motive exists for concealing information about an attack on Trump, whom both officials described as a friend.

Should the FBI release additional documentation from the Butler investigation to address persistent public skepticism about the findings?

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