Federal records released to Senate officials show an anonymous donor paid for the cremation of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the gunman who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. The documents indicate Crooks used the pseudonym 'Bob Dole' to order rifle parts and tools to increase weapon capacity. FBI files further identify a man resembling Crooks visiting a Pennsylvania gun store with two unidentified men.

President Trump alleged on September 15 that investigation files were altered, corrupted or destroyed before he returned to office on Jan 20. Trump called the assassination attempt a "Democrat Plot" and said FBI Director Christopher Wray should "pay a price" for the investigation. Attorney General Todd Blanche described the FBI's handling of the case as "totally botched" during a press conference in the Rose Garden.