Trump Assassination Attempt Sparks Fierce Criticism of Secret Service

WASHINGTON — In the wake of the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas emphasized on Monday that the country is experiencing a “heightened and very dynamic threat environment.”

The incident, which occurred at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, left one person dead and two others injured. The former president, who is the GOP’s 2024 presidential nominee, survived the attack unscathed.

“Both President Biden and former President Trump are constantly the subject of threats,” Mayorkas stated during a White House press briefing, defending the Secret Service amid calls for increased scrutiny. Congress is planning hearings to investigate potential security failures.

Mayorkas assured the public that the Secret Service, along with the FBI and other federal agencies, takes these threats seriously and adjusts security protocols accordingly. The Secretary highlighted the protection of current and former presidents, as well as their campaign events, as a critical priority.

In response to the recent violence, President Biden has ordered Secret Service protection for independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Additionally, Trump’s security has been ramped up due to evolving threats and his official nomination status.

Trump was in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the Republican National Convention on Monday, where he was formally nominated alongside his running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance. Mayorkas reiterated Biden’s commitment to an independent review of the Secret Service and law enforcement actions surrounding the event, aiming to implement long-term corrective measures to prevent similar incidents.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro identified Corey Comperatore, a former fire chief, as the person killed in the attack. Shapiro described Comperatore as a hero who sacrificed himself to protect his family. The FBI identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, who was killed at the scene.

Mayorkas voiced his support for Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, stressing his complete confidence in her leadership and the agency. During a CNN interview, he acknowledged the seriousness of the security lapse, indicating it as a failure.

Both the House and Senate are mobilizing to conduct investigations into the assassination attempt. The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability is scheduled to receive a briefing from the Secret Service and will hold a hearing next week. Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer expressed gratitude for the Secret Service’s swift action but demanded answers about the security lapses.

Cheatle committed to fully participating in the independent review and collaborating with Congress on necessary oversight measures. The Secret Service will work with all relevant agencies to understand the incident and prevent future occurrences.

On the Senate side, Michigan Sen. Gary Peters and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul announced a bipartisan investigation by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. They requested detailed briefings from Homeland Security, the Secret Service, and the FBI.

Sen. Lindsey Graham and other Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee called for a hearing led by Chairman Dick Durbin to examine the circumstances that led to the tragedy. They urged the inclusion of testimonies from Cheatle, Mayorkas, and FBI Director Christopher Wray.