The House panel investigating the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally in July has released a report stating that the incident was “preventable and should not have happened.” The report highlights the “stunning security failures” at the event, where Trump was struck in the ear by gunfire and one rallygoer was killed. The lawmakers criticize the fragmented lines of communication and unclear chains of command between the Secret Service and Pennsylvania state and local police, placing the majority of the blame on the Secret Service for the security breakdown.
According to the report, federal, state, and local law enforcement officers could have engaged the gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, at several pivotal moments during the rally. However, due to fragmented communication and unclear procedures, Crooks was able to evade law enforcement and climb onto the unsecured roof where he carried out the shooting. The report emphasizes that the tragic events of July 13 were preventable and should not have occurred, based on the evidence gathered by the task force from interviews and documents.
The preliminary findings of the report are based on thousands of pages of documents, interviews with officials, and briefings from senior officials at the Secret Service and the FBI. While the report does not identify specific individuals to blame, it does highlight the failed response of the Secret Service, which has been previously documented by other investigations. The House task force indicates that at least five Secret Service agents have been placed on modified duty and the former director of the Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned in the aftermath of the shooting. The task force plans to issue a final report with recommendations to prevent future assassination attempts by mid-December.
The bipartisan task force, comprised of seven Republicans and six Democrats, has also launched an investigation into a second assassination attempt on Trump last month, where a man with a rifle camped outside one of his golf courses in southern Florida. The lawmakers are focusing on improving security measures for political candidates and preventing similar incidents in the future. The report emphasizes the need for better communication and coordination among different law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of public figures at events. The task force aims to provide actionable recommendations to enhance security protocols and prevent any future threats to political candidates.
