In a rare display of unity, House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced their joint support for the creation of a bipartisan House Task Force to investigate the attempted assassination of 2024 presidential nominee Donald Trump. The task force will consist of seven Republicans and six Democrats.

“The security failures that allowed an assassination attempt on Donald Trump’s life are shocking. In response to bipartisan demands for answers, we are announcing a House Task Force made up of seven Republicans and six Democrats to thoroughly investigate the matter,” said Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries in a joint statement. “The task force will be empowered with subpoena authority and will move quickly to find the facts, ensure accountability, and make certain such failures never happen again.”

According to Speaker Johnson’s office, the House will vote on a resolution this week to formally establish the task force and appoint its members. The task force will have the full investigative authority of the House of Representatives, including the power to issue subpoenas.

The primary objective of the task force will be to investigate the circumstances surrounding the assassination attempt, identify security lapses, and hold accountable those responsible. The task force will also be tasked with making recommendations for reform to relevant government agencies and proposing any necessary legislation to implement those reforms.

The formation of this task force highlights the urgency and seriousness with which Congress views the attempted assassination of a presidential candidate. By working together, both parties aim to ensure that such a security breach never happens again and to reinforce the integrity of the electoral process.

As the House prepares to vote on the resolution, the nation will be watching closely to see how the investigation unfolds and what steps will be taken to address the security failures. The bipartisan nature of the task force underscores the commitment of both parties to uncover the truth and protect the democratic process.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s trip to Washington in December 2022 was treated with the utmost importance, featuring extraordinary security measures. Hundreds of law enforcement and intelligence officials were activated, with the U.S. Secret Service leading the effort as Zelenskyy visited the White House and addressed Congress. From the moment he landed, Zelenskyy was accompanied by a Secret Service detail, and this protection continued until his departure. His motorcade was also provided by the Secret Service, assisted by local law enforcement.

Former Secret Service agent Don Mihalek explained that the agency is responsible for protecting all visiting foreign heads of state on U.S. soil. Zelenskyy’s visit was seen as particularly sensitive due to the ongoing war with Russia, raising concerns about potential threats from Russian agents or collaborators.

Security for Zelenskyy’s trip to Capitol Hill was akin to State of the Union preparations, with significant measures implemented. The Secret Service consulted with the Capitol Police, CIA, FBI, and other agencies to ensure safety. Every Capitol Police officer was on standby, given the potential threats.

In stark contrast, former President Donald Trump’s security detail has faced significant challenges in obtaining the same level of resources and personnel. Over the past two years, the Secret Service acknowledged denying multiple requests for increased security at Trump’s events. While the agency provided alternative measures, such as local sniper teams and hand-held magnetometers, Trump’s team felt these were insufficient and inadequate to address the security risks involved.

The recent attempted assassination of Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has intensified scrutiny. A sniper managed to get rooftop access roughly 150 meters from Trump’s position, raising serious questions about security lapses. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle is facing calls for her resignation, including from House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Despite these assurances, the disparity in security measures for Zelenskyy and Trump has raised significant concerns about the Secret Service’s prioritization and ability to adequately protect high-profile individuals. Trump’s security detail and advisers have repeatedly voiced their frustrations over what they perceive as an unequal allocation of resources and attention.

The decision to prioritize Zelenskyy’s security to such an extent, while denying crucial security enhancements for a former U.S. president, suggests a troubling inconsistency in the Secret Service’s approach to protection. The assassination attempt on Trump highlights the severe consequences of these decisions and underscores the urgent need for a reassessment of priorities and resource allocation within the agency.

The handling of security for Trump, particularly in light of the recent assassination attempt, exposes significant gaps and inconsistencies within the Secret Service. As scrutiny intensifies, the agency must address these failures, ensure equitable security measures for all high-profile individuals, and restore confidence in its protective capabilities. Director Kimberly Cheatle’s leadership and decisions are now under intense examination, and calls for her resignation reflect the gravity of the situation and the demand for accountability.

SOURCES: ABC NEWS, WASHINGTON POST, CNN

Top officials at the U.S. Secret Service repeatedly denied requests for additional security resources and personnel sought by Donald Trump’s security detail in the two years leading up to his attempted assassination at a rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

Agents responsible for protecting the former president requested various enhancements to security measures, including magnetometers to screen attendees at large public gatherings, additional snipers, and specialty teams for outdoor events. These requests, often made in writing, were reportedly denied by senior officials at the Secret Service. Reasons cited included a lack of resources and staffing shortages within the agency.

These denials have led to heightened tensions between Trump, his top aides, and Secret Service leadership. Trump’s advisers had privately expressed concerns that the Secret Service was not providing adequate protection. The Secret Service, initially denying these claims, has since acknowledged that some requests may have been rejected. This acknowledgment comes amid scrutiny over the agency’s handling of security at the recent rally where a gunman fired from a rooftop, injuring Trump and killing a man in the crowd.

According to sources, Trump’s security team had repeatedly asked for enhanced security measures, including more countersnipers and magnetometers, particularly at large-scale events. These requests were sometimes turned down by the Secret Service due to what they cited as a shortage of resources and an increasing list of protectees.

The Secret Service’s response to the security needs of Trump has been complicated by the agency’s broader responsibilities, which include protecting the current president, vice president, former presidents, and other high-profile figures. With limited funding and staffing constraints, the agency has struggled to meet all demands, leading to prioritization challenges.

The weekend of the Butler shooting, the Secret Service had dispatched numerous countersniper teams and agents to other significant events, including the Republican National Convention and events involving President Joe Biden and Jill Biden. This allocation of resources further strained the agency’s ability to address Trump’s security needs.

Trump and his advisers have expressed frustration over the Secret Service’s handling of security requests. During a recent Trump rally, the former president criticized the agency’s performance, highlighting instances where requests for additional security were denied. One notable instance involved a rally in Pickens, South Carolina, in July 2023, where Trump’s team requested more countersnipers, only to have the request denied by Secret Service headquarters.

The Secret Service had previously argued that some security measures, such as magnetometers at sporting events, were deemed unnecessary because Trump would be entering secure areas. However, Trump’s team expressed concerns over his safety as he moved through open areas and interacted with the public.

The security lapse at the Pennsylvania rally has intensified calls for accountability within the Secret Service. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has faced criticism and calls for resignation over her agency’s handling of the incident. Despite initial denials that any requests for additional security were rejected, Cheatle has faced pressure from both Trump’s team and lawmakers who are questioning the agency’s preparedness and response.

The Secret Service has acknowledged the complexity of balancing its responsibilities and has committed to reviewing the specific interactions and documentation related to the security requests. The agency has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of its protectees while managing a dynamic threat environment.

Conclusion

The revelations about the Secret Service’s repeated denial of security requests for Donald Trump highlight a troubling pattern of mismanagement and negligence. The agency’s failure to provide adequate protection for the former president, despite numerous requests, has resulted in a serious security breach and an attempted assassination that could have been avoided.

This situation is not just a failure of protocol but a stark example of an agency that has been overwhelmed and under-resourced for too long. The repeated denials of crucial security measures, coupled with the Secret Service’s initial denials and lack of transparency, have rightfully fueled outrage and demands for accountability.

Director Kimberly Cheatle, who has faced growing scrutiny over her leadership, must bear responsibility for these lapses. The calls for her resignation are not just about one incident but reflect a broader concern about the Secret Service’s capacity to effectively safeguard its protectees under her watch. It’s clear that a leadership change is necessary to restore confidence in the agency and ensure that such critical failures do not happen again. The Secret Service must urgently address its systemic issues, reassess its resource allocation, and commit to a higher standard of accountability to protect those it is sworn to serve.