Assassination attempt or domestic terrorism? Why Trump’s shooting poses a problem for the FBI

The FBI is investigating the attempted assassination of Donald Trump as a “potential” case of domestic terrorism, after the former president was shot at by Thomas Matthew Crooks on July 13.

Though Trump survived the shooting attempt with relatively minor injuries from the bullet that grazed his ear, it is evident that the shooter sought to kill or seriously harm the Republican presidential candidate, who was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

What remains unclear are the motivations behind the actions of 20-year-old Crooks, who was shot dead by Secret Service on the scene. As one expert said, it seems that “some of the motives died with him”.

How can the FBI determine whether Crooks’ motives were a case of domestic terrorism — and to what extent does it matter?

Crooks bought 50 rounds of ammo from a local gun shop, before using a semiautomatic AR-style rifle to fire shots at the rally toward the former president. One man was shot dead, while two more aside from Trump were injured.

The investigation has also found three devices, which are suspected to be improvised explosives, two of which were in Crooks’ car. A fireworks detonator was also found on the roof where Crooks was shot.

Reports have found that Crooks came from a family of mixed political allegiances, and he himself appears to have had confusing political beliefs. His mother is a registered Democrat, and his father — whose name was on the weapon registration — is a Libertarian who owns over a dozen guns.

Thomas Matthew Crooks himself was a registered Republican, though he made a donation of $15 to the Democratic-leaning group Progressive Turnout Project in 2021. Law enforcement say his phone reveals searches for both Trump and President Biden before