Lawmakers on the House Select Committee investigating former President Trump's assassination attempt concluded their first hearing on Thursday furious with the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) and giving more answers to Acting Director Ronald Lowe. It became clear that there were some doubts.
The committee includes former USSS employees, as well as local and state law enforcement officials who attended the July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where one protester was killed and Trump himself was shot in the ear. I heard from.
“I think in a short five or six minutes I counted seven different ways they could have eliminated that threat, and they didn't do it,” task force member Pat Fallon said. Congressman (R-Texas) told Fox News Digital. “This is really shocking. I thought the Secret Service was the best protection agency in the world, but clearly that's not the case.”
Several members of Congress said they wanted to hear from USSS Acting Secretary Ronald Lowe again, especially after Congress recently appropriated $230 billion in additional funding for the USSS.
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The Trump Assassination Attempt Task Force, led by Representatives Mike Kelly and Jason Crow, held its first public hearing. (Getty Images)
“We actually have plans to bring in Acting Secretary Lowe and we want to see them complete their internal investigation. And what we're all looking for as well, the American people, is some accountability.” “I think so,” the special committee said. Rep. Mike Walz, Republican of Florida.
Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), the committee's top Democrat, said lawmakers were unhappy, but clarified that it was not directed at Thursday's witnesses.
“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.
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During the first part of the hearing, witnesses and lawmakers said a lack of clear communication of security plans from the USSS led to the 20-year-old gunman opening fire on the gathering from a rooftop just outside security. suggested repeatedly. outer circumference.
But while lawmakers rage about the USSS shortages that caused the fatal crash, drama is unfolding behind the scenes, with Democrats on the task force warning that the Republican majority has invited two House Republicans to testify. He seems to feel that he has been blindsided by this.
“This is not the way it should be done,” a person familiar with Democratic task force discussions told Fox News Digital.
Sergeant Edward Lentz, commander of the Butler County Emergency Services Unit, was among those testifying. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Another person explained their thinking: “My understanding is that we all have a very bipartisan and level-headed approach to this issue. … We were not informed until late last night that this would be part of the process. It feels like how we shouldn't conduct ourselves. ”
Two panels testified at the hearing. The first group, which included law enforcement witnesses, took up the majority of lawmakers' time.
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Democrats were absent from the second part of the testimony, with Reps. Eli Crane, Republican of Arizona, and Cory Mills, Republican of Florida, testifying. The two Republicans, both veterans of sniping, are conducting their own “parallel” investigations into the shootings.
Another person familiar with the committee's Democratic minority said committee leadership was not informed of Crane and Mills' testimony until late Wednesday afternoon. But some Democrats weren't told until Thursday morning.
Republican Reps. Cory Mills (pictured) and Rep. Eli Crane, both military veterans and former snipers, were members of the second witness committee. (David Dee Delgado)
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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 get back to that. . . This is a future approach. ”
Kelly similarly told reporters that this does not preclude the task force's bipartisan mission.
When asked about the rift, Walz largely echoed Kelly, saying, “From my perspective, we have a lot of expertise and the more attention we bring to this issue, the better.” he added.
