Was PA Governor Shapiro Involved in Trump Assassination Attempt? Fact vs. Fiction…

A recent whistleblower complaint has surfaced through viral social media posts, alleging that Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro conspired with other officials in the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. The complaint claims that Governor Shapiro organized and schemed to carry out the attack.

The assassination attempt occurred during a rally where a gunman opened fire, resulting in the death of Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old attendee who was hailed as a hero for shielding his family. Several others were injured in the incident.

In the aftermath, a congressional task force was established to investigate the circumstances leading to the shooting. A congressional task force investigating both attempted assassinations of President Donald J. Trump in 2024 concluded that significant security lapses contributed to the attack in Butler, Pennsylvania. The final report, issued by the bipartisan Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump, details multiple failures in planning, execution, and leadership by the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) and law enforcement partners, which left Trump and attendees exposed to a preventable attack.

On July 13, 2024, Thomas Matthew Crooks fired eight shots at Trump during a campaign rally in Butler. One attendee, Corey Comperatore, was killed, while two others, David Dutch and James Copenhaver, were seriously injured. Trump sustained minor injuries. The attack ended when a USSS counter-sniper and a Butler County officer returned fire, killing Crooks. The report identifies key security failures, including inadequate surveillance of the American Glass Research (AGR) complex, an unsecured building near the rally site that Crooks used as his firing position. Investigators found that law enforcement officers mistakenly believed another agency was responsible for securing the area. Additionally, counter-sniper teams were not properly positioned to monitor the AGR roof, creating a critical blind spot.

The report further criticizes communication failures and technical issues that hindered law enforcement’s response. The Secret Service’s counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS), which could have detected a drone flown by Crooks before the attack, was inoperable for hours. Radio malfunctions and separate command centers for federal and local law enforcement led to confusion and delayed information sharing. The investigation found that preexisting leadership and training deficiencies within the Secret Service contributed to the lapses. Personnel with limited experience were placed in key planning roles, and there was a lack of coordination among federal, state, and local agencies regarding their responsibilities.

However, with regards to the shooter, the report does not conclusively determine whether Thomas Crooks acted alone. It notes that while Crooks carried out the attack independently, questions remain about his motivations and whether he had any external support. The report calls for further investigation into potential connections and influences, urging the FBI, ATF, and DOJ to be more forthcoming with information regarding Crooks’ background and possible affiliations​. Specifically, the FBI and other federal agencies have withheld key information from the task force, including digital records from Crooks’ devices and his online activity. The task force noted that the FBI did not provide a full log of evidence and heavily redacted interview reports, limiting the investigation’s ability to determine whether Crooks had any external influences or contacts​. Investigators have recommended further scrutiny of Crooks’ communications and background to determine if there were any undiscovered accomplices or influences.

The viral post claiming Shapiro’s involvement appears to have originated from a Facebook page called “Pennsylvania Arrest Warrants”. The post makes accusations Shapiro planned and coordinated the assassination attempt in Butler County, PA. It states that a former Pennsylvania State Police employee filed the criminal complaint with Butler County, although the name of that former employee has been redacted from the response letter.

Governor Shapiro’s office has not issued a response regarding the whistleblower’s allegations. The investigation into the Trump assassination attempt is ongoing, and Butler County’s District Attorney has denied the private criminal complaint filed against Shapiro.

No additional information indicating that Governor Shapiro is under investigation has been published by any law enforcement agency, and all posts indicating that he continues to be under investigation or has been charged are rumors and speculation.

Associated documents for this story are available in our Public Information Archive.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors.

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