By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. — It’s been nearly two weeks since the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
Lawmakers in Washington continue to press for answers and accountability over the tragic events that unfolded in Butler, PA on July 13.
“This day will go down in infamy in American history,” said Rep. Mike Kelly (R- PA) who was at the Trump rally in Butler, Kelly’s hometown.
It’s been just under two weeks since the shots were heard around the world. In the days since, lawmakers have toured the rally site in Butler, sought the resignation of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) director and have officially laid the groundwork to find more answers.
“President Trump deserves answers, the Comperatore family deserves answers, and the American people deserve answers,” said Kelly on the House floor Wednesday.
Wednesday night, the House unanimously approved Kelly’s resolution, establishing the task force on the attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump.
“This bipartisan task force will have investigative authority, including subpoena power,” said Kelly.
Comprised of seven Republicans and six Democrats, the task force will recommend reform to relevant agencies and any necessary legislation to implement the reforms.
“In the military, but in business too, if somebody makes a mistake or didn’t do what they were supposed to do, heads roll,” said Rep. Jack Bergman (R- MI), a retired Lt. General in the United States Marine Corps.
Like many of his colleagues, Bergman wants more information about security preparations, or lack thereof, on July 13.
“My biggest question is show me where the breakdown was of who had responsibility for what,” said Bergman, adding that the new task force is a big step toward transparency. “Well, number one, total transparency and basically a programmatic approach to this.”
The task force will have to produce a final report by Dec. 13.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a joint oversight hearing next Tuesday. They will examine the security failures that led to the assassination attempt on former President Trump and will hear testimony from the U.S. Secret Service and the FBI.
