The House task force investigating the assassination attempts against former President Trump is set to hold its first hearing on Thursday. The task force, which was assembled after unanimous approval in the House, has been diligently working behind the scenes to gather information and conduct interviews with dozens of witnesses.
According to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., the task force has gathered thousands of documents and is prepared to present their findings at the hearing. Johnson emphasized the importance of providing answers to the American people, stating that they deserve to know the truth.
The scope of the task force was recently expanded following a foiled second alleged attempt on Trump's life while he was golfing at his own course in West Palm Beach. However, Thursday's hearing will specifically focus on the July 13 shooting at Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
During the rally, a 20-year-old gunman opened fire from a rooftop just outside the perimeter, resulting in the death of one attendee and injuries to others. Trump himself was struck by a bullet in the ear and was swiftly evacuated by Secret Service agents.
Key witnesses scheduled to testify at the hearing include officials such as Edward Lenz, commander of the Butler County Emergency Services Unit, and former Secret Service agent Patrick Sullivan. The task force, led by Chairman Mike Kelly, R-Pa., and ranking member Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., has been actively seeking information from various levels of government to understand the security failures that allowed the shooting to occur.
Lawmakers are particularly interested in uncovering how the gunman was able to position himself so close to the rally despite being noticed by attendees and local officials beforehand. Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Fla., highlighted the communication breakdowns that occurred on the day of the event, emphasizing the need to address these failures.
The hearing follows a damning interim report released by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which detailed planning and security failures on July 13. The report criticized the Secret Service for lacking an adequate chain of command and failing to coordinate security measures related to the building from which the shooter fired.
As the task force prepares to present its findings at the hearing, the American public eagerly awaits answers regarding the events surrounding the assassination attempts against former President Trump.
