Trump Shooter’s Motive Still Unclear One Year Later

One year after the assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the true motive of shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks remains unknown despite exhaustive investigations. Crooks, a 20-year-old engineering student with a strong academic record, secretly planned the attack using VPNs and concealed his intentions from those around him. Family members described his isolated upbringing, anti-social tendencies, and covert bomb-making activities, as well as a recent decline in his mental health. No manifesto or clear political motivation has been found, with his digital history revealing conflicted political views and mental health searches. The incident exposed serious security failures within the Secret Service, leading to leadership changes and calls for agency reform. While the attack critically injured Trump, killed one bystander, and wounded two others, it ultimately strengthened Trump's political comeback.