The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Wednesday that it was expanding the Secret Service’s investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Trump.
The DHS inspector general will now be investigating overall security as well as the Secret Service’s anti-sniper teams to “determine the extent to which the Secret Service’s anti-sniper teams prepare for and respond to threats at events attended by designated protected persons.”
President Trump was shot in the ear and suffered minor injuries during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last Saturday. One man in the crowd was killed and two others were injured.
Questions have grown in recent days about how the gunman was able to climb onto a nearby rooftop and get a clear view of Trump as he spoke at the event. The Secret Service has faced increased scrutiny, particularly over its communications with local police.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said the service was “solely responsible” for Saturday’s procedures, clarifying her earlier response that local police were responsible for the building the shooter had scaled.
Cheatle said certain “safety factors” were taken into consideration when deciding how to secure the building, such as the sloping roof. They chose to secure it from the inside, rather than from the top.
Several lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), have called on Cheatle to resign, but he has said he will not. He is due to appear before a congressional committee next week.
Lauren Irwin contributed.
