Baton Rouge, Louisiana – House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have selected a bipartisan group of lawmakers to investigate the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. The task force comprises seven Republican and six Democratic lawmakers with relevant backgrounds and experience to seek accountability following the violent incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman wounded Trump during a campaign rally.
Leading the panel is Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, who has ties to law enforcement in the area. The committee includes Republican representatives Mark Green, David Joyce, Laurel Lee, Michael Waltz, Clay Higgins, and Pat Fallon. On the Democratic side, Rep. Jason Crow, a former Army ranger with service in Iraq and Afghanistan, was appointed the panel’s ranking member, along with Lou Correa, Madeleine Dean, Chrissy Houlahan, Glenn Ivey, and Jared Moskowitz.
Johnson and Jeffries expressed confidence in the bipartisan group’s ability to swiftly uncover facts, ensure accountability, and prevent future security failures. The task force will hold subpoena authority and oversee all House committee investigations related to the assassination attempt. This cooperative approach contrasts with previous instances of partisanship in Congress, such as during the investigation into the January 6th Capitol riot.
The objectives of the panel include investigating security and communication breakdowns that allowed the gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, to carry out the attack outside the rally’s security perimeter. The panel aims to establish accountability and prevent similar incidents involving Secret Service failures in the future. The last shooting of a U.S. leader under Secret Service protection occurred in 1981 when President Ronald Reagan was targeted.
Senate lawmakers are scheduled to hold a hearing with acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe and Deputy FBI Director Paul Abbate to further delve into the events surrounding the attempted assassination. Frustrations have arisen among lawmakers due to the Secret Service’s limited information following the shooting, prompting calls for a thorough investigation.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned, and FBI Director Christopher A. Wray provided detailed testimony on the incident before the House Judiciary Committee. Lawmakers emphasized the urgency of collecting information from various sources to compile a comprehensive account of the events leading up to the assassination attempt.
Moving forward, the panel will focus on creating an independent timeline to evaluate the effectiveness of the official protection plan devised by the Secret Service. The aim is to identify shortcomings in the security protocols and hold accountable those responsible for any lapses. Despite concerns raised by law enforcement agencies, former President Trump has insisted on continuing his large outdoor rallies, prompting further scrutiny into security measures.