The House task force investigating the near assassination of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, heard testimony from local law enforcement and a medical examiner regarding the events of July 13. The hearing also saw political tensions with the appearance of GOP representatives.
- Local officers described convoluted communication systems among different groups, leading to failures in relaying critical information.
- The Democrats left the hearing in protest of the participation of two GOP representatives, who presented conspiracy theories.
- Secret Service failures were highlighted, indicating lapses in security measures and decision-making.
- The investigation has been expanded to include a second assassination attempt on Trump in Florida.
The House task force charged with investigating the near assassination of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, convened to hear from local law enforcement and a medical examiner about the events of July 13. During the initial phase of the hearing, local officers testified about the convoluted communication setup on that day. Multiple groups of officers were using different radios, all separate from the Secret Service’s own channel, leading to significant miscommunication.
However, the session’s findings were overshadowed by the appearance of two GOP representatives, Eli Crane of Arizona and Cory Mills of Florida, who propagated conspiracy theories regarding the shooting. Their participation led to the Democrats on the task force leaving the hearing, citing a lack of prior notice and the impossibility of adding their own experts.
Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado, the task force’s senior Democrat, expressed his hope for a return to a consensus-based approach. Crow explained that the Democrats were not informed of Crane and Mills’ participation until the day before the hearing, leaving no time to prepare adequately. Despite this, Crow acknowledged the productivity of the first panel, which focused on local law enforcement’s actions and communication issues.
GOP Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, the committee chairman, downplayed the political discord, stating that he invited Crane and Mills due to their combat experience. He maintained that the presentation by these representatives did not shatter the bipartisan spirit of the panel, despite the partisan undertones.
Furthermore, Kelly indicated a willingness to consider investigating the possibility of a second shooter, a theory that federal investigators had denied. Other GOP task force members supported the need to explore every potential theory, with Rep. Clay Higgins questioning the medical examiner about the gunman’s injuries.
The Democrats’ withdrawal from the hearing room signaled their view of Crane and Mills’ appearance as a partisan manoeuvre, marking the first public sign of discontent within the task force, which had pledged to remain apolitical. Despite this, Crane, Mills, and other Trump allies continued to criticise federal officials for security failures at Trump’s Butler rally.
During the first part of the hearing, local officers described the communication issues, with groups of officers using different radios and communication posts separate from the Secret Service’s channel. Inadequate cell phone connections further compounded the problem, though systems established post-September 11, such as FirstNet, operated effectively. However, critical photographs of the gunman, Thomas Crooks, were not received by all officers.
Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida highlighted that 45 minutes before the shooting, some officers lacked access to the photos taken of Crooks. He criticised the lack of implementation of comprehensive communication solutions at the highest security levels to safeguard Trump. Local officers also testified to the absence of meetings with the Secret Service and insufficient direction on coverage areas, including the buildings Crooks accessed.
The task force, recently expanded to investigate a second assassination attempt on Trump in Florida, has previously visited the Pennsylvania rally site and engaged with local and federal officers involved in the day’s security and subsequent investigations. Although the Secret Service initially blamed local law enforcement, it has since accepted full responsibility for the security lapses that day.
Despite prior warnings about Crooks, he managed to climb atop a group of buildings with a rifle and opened fire before being killed by Secret Service agents. Key questions remain unanswered concerning local officers’ failure to intercept Crooks and the Trump campaign’s coordination with the Secret Service and local law enforcement. The task force has requested interviews with Trump campaign officials to clarify these communication breakdowns.
In conclusion, the House task force continues to grapple with political tensions and investigative challenges as it seeks to understand the events surrounding the near assassination of Donald Trump.
The House task force’s investigation into the near assassination of Donald Trump remains fraught with political challenges and unresolved questions about communication and security failures.
