Donald Trump assassination attempt under investigation by Republicans who demand hearing with Secret Service after ‘absolute security failure’
Multiple congressional committees have launched investigations into the “security failures” that led to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
Lawmakers say the fact that a gunman was able to get so close to killing Trump poses a terrifying security concern.
Former Navy SEAL Rep. Ryank Zinke, Republican of Montana, said the fact that the shooter was able to reach a “nearby rooftop” to aim at Trump was an “absolute failure of security.” He has experience securing perimeters in war zones and as a protégé at presidential events.
House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Kentucky) told DailyMail.com in a statement that he plans to hold a hearing with Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to determine the cause of the errors.
The House Committee on Homeland Security also said in a statement that it wants to hold a hearing with the Secret Service.
The committee’s reports indicate that this could be the beginning of a flurry of action in Congress over the attempted assassination of the former president.
“There are many questions and Americans are demanding answers,” Comer said. “I have already contacted the Secret Service for a briefing and I am also calling on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to appear for a hearing.”
Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump gestures as he is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents as he leaves the stage during a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania
‘The Supervisory Committee will send a formal invitation shortly.’
The lawmakers’ inaction comes just hours after at least one gunman attempted to shoot former President Donald Trump at his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday night.
Trump said he was shot in his right ear during the horrific attempt and knew something was wrong when he heard a “whooshing” sound.
The former president said in a statement from the hospital just hours after the terrifying scene that he immediately felt the bullet “tore through his skin.”
The 78-year-old was dragged off stage by the Secret Service with his face covered in blood, then began screaming “fight, fight, fight” as gunshots rang out in front of thousands of MAGA fans.
The president addresses his supporters moments before the shooting
Former President Donald Trump falls after gunfire at his rally. Supporters in the back look around
A screenshot of a video shows the shooter was killed by the Secret Service, an agency source said, CNN said, on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania, United States. A person present was also killed
Democrat Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., also released a statement Saturday calling for an investigation.
“The security concerns surrounding the attempted assassination of a presidential candidate require an investigation,” he wrote.
“The federal government must continually learn from security mistakes to avoid repeating them, especially when those mistakes have consequences for the nation.”
US Secret Service escorts Trump off stage after shots were fired at him
Former Navy SEAL Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., called the attempt a security lapse.
“I have secured the perimeters of war zones as a sealer and have been inside the perimeter as a protégé at presidential events.”
“I cannot remember a single time when a peak so close would have been reachable and not already occupied by security forces.”
“There will be a thorough investigation,” Zinke continued. “The American people and our leaders deserve better.”