FBI Files Reveal Thomas Crooks' Mental Decline and Isolation Before 2024 Attack

Key points

• FBI documents released to the Senate show Crooks exhibited erratic behavior, including talking to himself and staying up all night, in the weeks before the July 13, 2024, rally shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania.
• Former FBI Special Agent Jonathan Gilliam described Crooks as 'spiraling into an almost manic or delusional state,' arguing the investigation into his motive should not be closed due to potential external influences.
• FBI Director Kash Patel testified that there is no evidence Crooks was connected to anyone other than his parents, contradicting claims of a broader conspiracy.
• President Trump alleged the assassination attempt was a 'Democratic Plot' and criticized former FBI Director Christopher Wray, though he provided no evidence to support the claim of a coordinated attack.
• The documents confirm Crooks used the alias 'Bob Dole' for online purchases and took firearm courses at the Keystone Shooting Center in late 2024, though his father stated the family saw no warning signs of the attack.

Background

This development follows the release of FBI files to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, which have been the subject of intense scrutiny since September 2026. Previous coverage highlighted Crooks' long-standing obsession with firearms, his use of pseudonyms for purchases, and the anonymous funding of his cremation. The current focus shifts from his technical preparations to his psychological state and the political fallout surrounding the investigation's conclusions.

How outlets are covering it

Fox News and the New York Post emphasize the 'red flags' in Crooks' behavior, with Fox citing a former agent's view that he was in a 'manic state' and the Post detailing his emotional detachment and lack of a father-son bond. ABC News contrasts this by highlighting President Trump's claim that the attack was a 'Democratic Plot,' noting that Trump offered no evidence for this assertion while FBI Director Kash Patel testified that Crooks acted alone. The outlets diverge on the interpretation of the documents: Fox and the Post focus on the shooter's mental instability and isolation, while ABC focuses on the political conflict between the White House and the FBI regarding the investigation's handling.

Why it matters

The release of these documents provides a detailed look into the psychological profile of a high-profile political attacker, raising questions about the FBI's ability to detect mental health 'red flags' before a violent act. The political dispute over the findings, particularly the clash between the White House's narrative of a conspiracy and the FBI's conclusion of a lone actor, highlights ongoing tensions regarding the integrity of federal investigations and the politicization of national security matters.

What to watch

The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to continue its review of the released documents, potentially leading to further hearings or inquiries into the FBI's handling of the Butler case. President Trump may continue to press for accountability regarding the investigation, while the DOJ will likely defend the FBI's conclusion that Crooks acted alone. The public may see further debate over the role of mental health monitoring in preventing political violence.