FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino have stated that there is no evidence linking the two 2024 assassination attempts on President Donald Trump to any foreign plot.
The announcement came during an interview on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures with host Maria Bartiromo.
Bongino, who now serves as the second-in-command at the FBI, directly addressed questions from Bartiromo about whether Americans should expect revelations about broader involvement in the attacks.
Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?
“I’m not going to tell people what they want to hear. I’m going to tell you the truth. And whether you like it or not is up to you,” Bongino said during the interview.
He emphasized that he and Patel have been “personally briefed extensively on every single detail, nugget, tendril of this case,” and that “it’s not there,” referring to any credible evidence of international coordination.
Bartiromo pressed both officials for more information regarding the attacks on the President, including speculation that had circulated online suggesting a foreign-backed conspiracy.
Bongino stated there was no “logical, sensible reason” provided to them that would support the theory of an international operation behind either attempt.
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
“If it was there, we would have told you,” he added.
Bartiromo to FBI Director Patel: Why Don’t We Have More Info On Trump Assassination Attempts? https://t.co/hB1GCbeL8e
“The ‘there’ you’re looking for is not there. And I know people — I get it. I understand. It’s not there. If it was there, we would have told you.” pic.twitter.com/fxnOPQAJc5
— RCP Video (@rcpvideo) May 18, 2025
The first attempt occurred on July 13, 2024, when 20-year-old Tomas Matthew Crooks opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The attack resulted in two deaths and left then-candidate Trump wounded after being grazed in the ear by a bullet. Crooks was killed by counter-sniper fire moments after he opened fire.
Immediately following the attempt, various theories emerged online alleging that Crooks may have acted under the direction or influence of a foreign adversary.
However, Patel and Bongino have now stated that no such connections were found.
“We have personally invested our time in making sure that we have looked at any possible international connections to terrorism and adversaries alike,” Patel said.
Patel noted that some details would come out during federal court proceedings but reiterated that the FBI had already reviewed all related intelligence.
The second known assassination attempt came just two months later.
On September 15, 2024, Ryan Wesley Routh, 59, was arrested after allegedly attempting to carry out a shooting at President Trump’s Palm Beach golf course.
A rifle barrel was reportedly spotted emerging from shrubbery a few hundred yards from the President, prompting a Secret Service agent to open fire.
Routh was taken into custody and is currently facing charges while the investigation remains ongoing.
Because Routh survived and has not yet gone to trial, both officials were more cautious when discussing that incident.
However, they noted there was no current indication of foreign involvement in that case either.
While they stopped short of commenting on the full scope of the investigation into Routh, Bongino reiterated their approach to transparency.
“If it was there, we would have told you,” he said again in reference to any broader conspiracy theories.
The statements from Patel and Bongino are the first official comments directly addressing the rumors of foreign interference in the assassination attempts.
Their remarks are expected to be closely reviewed as related court proceedings advance in the months ahead.
Connect with Vetted Off-Duty Cops to Instantly Fulfill Your Security Needs
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.