Several congressional committees have begun investigating the “security failures” that led to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump by a gunman.
The fact that a gunman was able to get close enough to take Trump’s life is a terrifying security failure, lawmakers say.
Former Navy SEAL Rep. Ryank Zinke, R-Montana, says the fact that the shooter was able to access a “nearby rooftop” to target Trump is an “absolute failure of security.” He has experience protecting perimeters in combat zones and serving as a protectee at presidential events.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., told DailyMail.com in a statement that he plans to hold a hearing with Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to get to the bottom of the failures.
The House Homeland Security Committee also released a statement indicating its desire to hold a hearing with the Secret Service.
The committee’s messages indicate what could be the beginning of a flood of action in Congress over the attempted assassination of the former president.
“There are many questions and the American people are demanding answers,” Comer said. “I have already contacted the Secret Service to request a briefing and am also asking Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to appear at a hearing.”
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures as he is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents as he leaves the stage at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa.
‘The Supervisory Committee will send a formal invitation soon.’
The lawmaker’s oversight comes just hours after at least one gunman attempted to shoot former President Donald Trump as he campaigned in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday night.
Trump said he was shot in the right ear during the horrific attempt and knew something was wrong when he heard a “whooshing” sound.
The former president said he immediately felt the bullet “going through my skin” in a statement from the hospital just hours after the terrifying scene occurred.
The 78-year-old was carried off the stage by Secret Service with blood covering his face and then punched his face and yelled “fight, fight, fight” after gunshots rang out in front of thousands of MAGA fans.
The president addresses his supporters moments before the shooting.
Former President Donald Trump falls to the ground after gunfire at his rally. Supporters in the background look around
A screenshot from a video shows the shooter being killed by Secret Service personnel, according to an agency source, CNN said, on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania, United States. An aide was also killed.
Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., also released a statement Saturday calling for an investigation.
“The security failures surrounding the attempted assassination of a presidential candidate demand an investigation,” he wrote.
‘The federal government must constantly learn from security failures to avoid repeating them, especially when those failures have implications for the nation.’
US Secret Service escorts Trump off stage after shots fired at him
Former Navy SEAL Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Montana, called the attempt a security failure.
Zinke went on to detail the security flaw in a post on X.
“I cannot think of a single time when such a nearby high point would have been accessible and not already occupied by security forces.”
“A thorough investigation will be conducted,” Zinke continued. “The American people and our leaders deserve better.”
