Staff Reports
In a dizzying turn of events that feels more like a badly scripted crime drama than real life, a Pennsylvania man has taken his infatuation with firearms and his distaste for former President Trump to a whole new level. Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old whose pre-attack regimen could put a military sniper to shame, was up to no good just days before he attempted to pull off a political assassination. And while many are playing armchair detective trying to connect the dots, one thing is abundantly clear: this man was serious about his mission.
As Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley took a spotlight to highlight Crooks’ extensive “preparation,” it was revealed that the would-be assassin regularly frequented a local rifle range. The Clairton Sportsmen’s Club became his second home, with a staggering 43 visits logged before his July 13 attack on Trump. For those doing the math, that equals more than three visits per month since he joined the club in August 2023. While most folks were busy enjoying holidays like Christmas and Valentine’s Day, Crooks was getting cozy with his AR-15 at the range. One can only imagine how those family gatherings went down when someone asked him what he got up to during the holidays.
Newly released records indicate that Thomas Crooks, the individual responsible for the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, had been regularly practicing rifle training at a facility frequented by the Department of Homeland Security https://t.co/SS0ueshLGl… pic.twitter.com/LLetvNUPQp
— VIRTUE.NEWS (@virtuemediacorp) August 13, 2024
In an attempt to deflect from the gun culture some leftists love to vilify, Crooks’ impressive practice on the rifle range—80% of his visits—revealed a troubling dedication. He honed his skills at precisely the distance he would later use in his reckless plot against Trump. Armed with his chosen rifle, Crooks acted as if he was auditioning for some kind of twisted game show that rewards political violence. How did the mainstream media miss this bit of information when they so eagerly jump to pin every errant shot on conservative rhetoric?
The timing of Crooks’ activities was particularly alarming since they coincided with the Department of Homeland Security’s training at the same location—one of those perfectly innocent coincidences that seems to pop up in every conspiracy theory. Yet, the DHS log suggest they were too busy with their police training to notice the impending storm brewing just outside their perimeter. A helpful reminder for anyone keeping score: while Crooks was lining up his shots, the government was playing catch-up, failing yet again to protect American citizens from the very threats lurking in plain sight.
Ultimately, Crooks fired several rounds toward Trump at a rally, finally meeting his end at the hands of a Secret Service counter-sniper. While some might couch this as a tragic event, it raises glaring questions about how someone so fixated on harming a public figure slipped through the cracks. Without a coherent motive and the timeline of events painted in bold strokes, one must wonder if this is merely an isolated incident or a symptom of a larger issue where the government fails to connect the dots—blame surely can’t be placed at the foot of responsible gun owners.
Despite the chaos that ensued, this event underscores the stark reality of an increasingly polarized nation where political disagreements may lead some to dark and dangerous paths. As the investigation continues, the need for increased scrutiny on the actions of those seeking fame or infamy through violence becomes clearer; it may be a time for reflection on the moral compass—or lack thereof—in today’s political landscape.
