Democratic members of the House task force investigating former President Donald Trump's assassination attempt were absent from the final portion of the committee's first hearing on Thursday. The hearing featured two Republican lawmakers who have been conducting their own “parallel” investigations into the shooting.
Two Republicans, both veterans, participated in the second part of the hearing, Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., and Rep. Cory Mills, R-Florida, but the Democratic minority did not inform leadership. Their testimony continued into late Wednesday afternoon, according to Fox News officials who were furious behind the scenes at the failure to do so. But some Democrats weren't told until Thursday morning.
The move is seen as the first bipartisan split in what has been a united effort to investigate the case.
The Trump Assassination Attempt Task Force, led by Representatives Mike Kelly (inset, left) and Jason Crow (inset, right), has officially launched an investigation. (Getty Images)
Secret intelligence agency boss says critical information not communicated over radio, delaying response to would-be assassin
Asked about Mills and Crane, Crowe said: “We did not receive notice of the second panel until late yesterday. We have not had the opportunity to present our own witnesses.” ”[Task Force Chairman Mike Kelly, R-Pa.] And I remain very committed to making this a bipartisan agreement, and I hope that we can return to that approach going forward. ”
Kelly similarly told reporters that this would not interfere with the task force's bipartisan mission, saying he had invited Mills and Crane to testify because of their expertise, and that security perimeters for the rally. He said he welcomed their evaluation of the issue.
According to KTLA, he dismissed the fact that Democratic lawmakers were absent from some of the hearings, suggesting some may have flown out of Washington, D.C., according to KTLA.
Kelly said of the members, “If you want to participate, you can. If you decide not to participate, you can do that too.”
Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), the ranking Democrat on the committee, said lawmakers were dissatisfied, but clarified that it was not directed at Thursday's witnesses.
“We did not receive notice of the second panel until late yesterday,” Crowe said. “We do not know what testimony these witnesses will give in connection with today's hearing.”
In the first part of the hearing, the committee examined former Secret Service agents and local residents who attended the July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where one attendee was killed and Trump himself was shot. and state law enforcement officials. ear.
Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.), a military veteran, participated in the second part of the hearing. (David Dee Delgado)
Trump shooting: Timeline of assassination attempt raises questions about how gunman evaded security
Witnesses and lawmakers said a lack of clear communication of a security plan by the Secret Service led to 20-year-old gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks opening fire on the gathering from a rooftop just outside the security perimeter. suggested repeatedly.
“There was not a single mistake in the days leading up to the rally that would have allowed Mr. Crooks to outwit one of our nation's most elite security professionals. There were security failures on multiple fronts.” Mr. Kelly said.
“Communication between the Secret Service and local and state partners was disorganized and unclear,” Crow said. “that It was the Secret Service's fault, since the Secret Service is ultimately responsible for protection in such events. they didn't do the job. They provided no clarity and guidance to local law enforcement. That was very clear to me,” Crow told reporters.
One bullet grazed President Trump's right ear, fatally wounding firefighter Corey Comperatore. Rally participants James Copenhaver and David Dutch were also shot and injured.
One key question is why law enforcement was on top of the AGR building, where Crooks ultimately climbed and fired his shots, given the close proximity to the rally stage and clear view of President Trump. This means that there were no employees.
“A 10-year-old boy looking at that satellite image could have seen that the biggest threat posed to the president that day was the building near the stage,” said Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas). ” he said.
Former President Donald Trump appeared just seconds after the Butler, Pennsylvania, assassination attempt. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The committee, made up of seven Republicans and six Democrats, spent the past two months analyzing security deficiencies at the rally, conducting nearly 20 interviews with law enforcement and conducting 2,800 interviews with the Secret Service. I received a document that was more than a page.
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An interim report released Wednesday by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which is also investigating They said they were not given clear instructions on what to cover. The report also said authorities did not check whether information could be shared in real time with local partners.
Several members of Congress have indicated they would like to hear from Acting Secretary of the Secret Service Ronald Lowe again, especially after Congress recently allocated $230 million in additional funding to the Secret Service.
Fox News' Elizabeth Elkind and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
