During a recent briefing, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., revealed that law enforcement had identified Thomas Matthew Crooks as a person of interest more than an hour before shots were fired at former President Trump. Senators were informed that the Secret Service had recognized the building where the shooter was positioned as being outside the rally perimeter.
It was noted that the shooter was flagged as a person of interest around 5:07 or 5:08 due to carrying a backpack and a range finder. However, shots were not fired until approximately 6:11, leaving a significant gap between identification and the incident.
Prior to the shooting, Secret Service agents were actively searching for Crooks but were unable to locate him. Despite this, Sen. Mullin refrained from immediately calling for the resignation of U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation before assigning blame.
While the briefing between Senate lawmakers and the Secret Service was deemed helpful, it raised additional unanswered questions for Sen. Mullin. He expressed concerns regarding whether contact was made with Crooks, the trigger for the active search, the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, and why the President was allowed on stage while the search was ongoing.
Sen. Mullin acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating that while he was not advocating for immediate terminations, accountability was necessary. He emphasized the importance of a comprehensive inquiry to determine the sequence of events and responsibilities leading up to the incident.
