Fox News Digital recently spoke with two House Democrats appointed to the team investigating the assassination attempt on President Trump, who said they hope the investigation into the shooting will “unite” both parties and get to the truth.
On July 13, former President Trump was shot by gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Crooks was killed instantly by police, and Trump sustained a gunshot wound to the ear.
Since the shooting, Republicans and Democrats alike have called for further investigation into the security failures that led to the assassination attempt. Last week, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned after being grilled in House testimony that left many unsatisfied with her responses. Lawmakers are demanding accountability and answers.
Trump shooting: Timeline of assassination attempts
Democratic Representatives Jared Moskowitz of Florida and Glenn Ivey of Maryland have been appointed to a special team investigating the assassination attempt on former President Trump. (Getty Images)
The resolution to create the task force passed by an overwhelming vote of 416-0. The committee’s formation was announced Monday and includes seven Republicans and six Democrats. The task force, which has subpoena power, is scheduled to release a report on its findings on Dec. 13.
The Republican members are Chairman Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, Reps. Mark Green of Tennessee, David Joyce of Ohio, Laurel Lee of Florida, Michael Waltz of Florida, Clay Higgins of Louisiana, and Pat Fallon of Texas. Kelly is from Butler, Pennsylvania, where the assassination attempt occurred.
The Democrats are Sens. Jason Crow of Colorado, Lou Correa of California, Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, Glenn Ivey of Maryland and Jared Moskowitz of Florida.
Moskowitz told Fox News Digital he hoped the task force would “uncover the motive for this heinous act.”
“More than two weeks later, the American people still have many questions about what happened in Butler, Pennsylvania,” the Democrat acknowledged. “This task force [figures out] Why was former President Trump allowed on stage at a time when questions about security are emerging, and who should be held accountable for this breakdown in protocol?”
Video taken from the perspective of the victim of the Trump assassination attempt shows a figure moving across a rooftop moments before the shooting
Former President Trump is surrounded by US Secret Service agents at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
“I am hopeful that this bipartisan group will unite my colleagues and produce a report that strongly condemns political violence and also recommends areas for improvement,” Moskowitz added.
Ivey said that despite the fast-track investigation, the bipartisan nature of the special committee should produce a “better outcome.”
“If we fight each other, it slows things down,” he told Fox News Digital. “I think this is something we need to help each other, not rely on each other, to get through.”
Ivey noted that working with her Republican colleagues is important for both public perception and the integrity of the investigation.
“If we’re fighting each other and not speaking with one voice, it could give basis to the conspiracy theories that are circulating. Some people have the sense that this is some kind of partisan conspiracy,” he said.
U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle arrived at the Capitol in Washington, DC on July 22 to testify before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee about the attempted assassination of former President Trump. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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Because the investigation would be led by a select committee, lawmakers wouldn’t be hampered by procedural hurdles like they would be by a committee, and Ivey said the subpoena power of the select committee should give lawmakers access to witnesses and other important information.
“It’s a good structure and it allows us to do what we need to do in the time frame we need to do it,” he said.
