Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Pennsylvania Democrat, is part of a bipartisan task force investigating the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump. Houlahan emphasized the “enormous gaps” in communication during the July shooting, including people texting information instead of using radio and not knowing about two command centers. The panel of lawmakers is focused on understanding what happened and ensuring it does not occur again, with a final report expected by December 13. The task force aims to restore faith and trust in institutions such as law enforcement and Congress.
Various investigations are ongoing following the July attempt on Trump’s life, including a criminal investigation by the FBI and examinations of security failures by the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security’s internal watchdog. The Secret Service has acknowledged communication deficiencies with state and local law enforcement during the rally in Pennsylvania. Lawmakers, including Houlahan, are working to ensure that the agency is focused on correcting these shortcomings and providing necessary resources to implement changes. The House recently voted to increase Secret Service protection for major presidential and vice presidential candidates to the level of a sitting president.
Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, expressed concerns about the FBI investigation into the assassination attempt, emphasizing the importance of disclosure and openness to preserve trust in institutions. Houlahan also highlighted the need to dial down the political temperature and vitriol present in the current environment. She stressed the importance of all parties working together to improve communication, address security failures, and foster trust in institutions. The task force is focused on bipartisan cooperation and ensuring that individuals are held accountable for their roles in the July shooting.
The Secret Service is working to address its shortcomings and improve communication with state and local law enforcement agencies. The task force, led by a group of bipartisan lawmakers, is committed to understanding the events of the July shooting and implementing necessary changes to prevent future incidents. Houlahan emphasized the need for quick action and bipartisan cooperation to restore trust in institutions and prevent such events from occurring again. The investigations into the assassination attempt are ongoing, with a focus on transparency and accountability in order to maintain trust in law enforcement and other institutions.
