On Thursday, Members of the Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump held its first official hearing on the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pa. Witnesses during the hearing featured state and local law enforcement officials who were on-site during the July 13 rally. Officials told the Task Force a lack of preparation and communication from the United States Secret Service ahead of the rally greatly contributed to the security failures that day, which led to the death of Corey Comperatore and injured the former President and two others.
The Task Force will continue its investigation of the incident and strive to identify solutions that will prevent security failures, such as those experienced on July 13, from recurring in the future.
You can watch the full hearing on the Task Force’s YouTube channel here.
You can follow their work on their website here.
Read Chairman Kelly’s Full Opening Statement here.
Key excerpt of Chairman Kelly’s Opening Statement:
- “Because of failures by the Secret Service, the shooting was not prevented. Just last week, Acting Director Rowe said his own agency showed “complacency”. The day of the assassination attempt, Crooks scouted and identified weaknesses in the Secret Service’s security plan using both a drone and range finder. Had security vulnerabilities not existed, it is entirely plausible he might not have even attempted the shooting and returned home.”
Read Ranking Member Crow’s Opening Statement here.
Key excerpt of Ranking Member Crow’s Opening Statement:
- “Political violence has no place in our democracy, period. We must be united in our belief as Americans—not as Republicans or Democrats—that political disagreement is settled through rigorous debate, not violence. That is why this Task Force’s investigation and today’s hearing are so important. Since the establishment of this Task Force just two months ago, I have worked closely with Chairman Kelly to ensure this investigation is and remains bipartisan. The members of this Task Force and our staffs are coordinating closely to ensure we establish the facts of the security failures of July 13, so that we can help ensure those failures never happen again.”
Written Testimony:
- Mr. Edward Lenz: Sergeant, Adams Township Police Department, Commander, Butler County Emergency Services Unit
- Mr. Drew Blasko: Patrolman, Butler Township Police Department
- Mr. John D. Herold: Lieutenant, Pennsylvania State Police
- Mr. Patrick Sullivan: Former United States Secret Service Agent
- Dr. Ariel Goldschmidt: Medical Examiner, Allegheny County, Pa.
