Congress May Subpoena Federal Agencies in Wake of Trump Assassination Attempts
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) has expressed concerns over the lack of transparency from federal law enforcement following two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump.
Johnson has urged Congress to subpoena the Secret Service and FBI to uncover hidden reasons behind the security failures that led to the attempts, as the Washington Examiner reports, and his call for action comes after the Senate’s release of its first public report, which highlights major lapses in security during the first bid to take Trump’s life.
The first attempt on Trump occurred at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where the Senate’s 94-page report found serious issues with security protocols. The report revealed that there had been credible intelligence of a threat at the rally, prompting the deployment of counter-snipers. However, despite these precautions, the security measures in place were not sufficient.
Security Lapses in First Assassination Attempt
One of the key failures highlighted in the Senate report was the U.S. Secret Service's failure to act on warnings from local authorities. Butler County Emergency Services had notified the Secret Service of insufficient manpower to secure the rally. However, the Secret Service claimed it never received such warnings, leading to critical gaps in the event's security.
Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Gary Peters (D-MI) commented on the preventable nature of these failures, emphasizing the lack of proper planning, communication, and intelligence sharing between agencies.
“Every single one of these actions is directly related to a failure in the U.S. Secret Service’s planning, communications, intelligence sharing, and law enforcement coordination efforts,” Peters said, stressing that the lapses were entirely avoidable.
Slow Response and Lack of Information from Agencies
Since the first assassination attempt, federal agencies have been criticized for their slow response in sharing critical information. According to Johnson, Congress has yet to receive autopsy reports on Thomas Matthew Crooks, the shooter in the first attempt, or any interview transcripts related to the case.
“So again, from my standpoint, this continues to be a slow-walking of information to us,” Johnson said during an appearance on Fox News’s Jesse Watters Primetime. He went on to point out that while other assassins’ manifestos have been released to the public, crucial details about the attacks on Trump remain undisclosed.
The frustration from Congress stems not only from the delay in receiving information but also from the federal agencies’ overall lack of transparency. Johnson reiterated his belief that subpoenas would be necessary to compel the agencies to provide the information requested by Congress.
Second Attempt Raises Further Concerns
The second attempt on Trump’s life occurred earlier this month while the former president was golfing at the Trump National Golf Club in Florida. Although fewer details have emerged about this incident, it has raised new questions about the effectiveness of the Secret Service’s security procedures.
Former first lady Melania Trump weighed in on the incidents, suggesting that the political climate, fueled by Democrats and the media, contributed to the attacks. Her comments have drawn attention to the broader issue of political violence and its impact on public figures.
Congressional Task Force Investigates Failures
In response to the assassination attempts, a bipartisan task force from the House of Representatives held its first meeting to investigate the security failures. During the meeting, members of the task force criticized the Secret Service for its role in the incidents, highlighting the need for improved coordination and communication among law enforcement agencies.
The task force, which includes members from both parties, is working to determine what changes need to be made to prevent future security lapses. Their findings will likely influence how federal agencies handle the protection of high-profile figures moving forward.
Call For Transparency Amid Growing Frustration
Johnson’s frustration with the lack of transparency from federal law enforcement continues to grow. He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into both assassination attempts, stressing that Congress has been kept in the dark for too long.
“We don’t know anything about Crooks,” Johnson said, referring to the shooter in the first attempt. “We don’t know the encrypted accounts, the social media, and yet the FBI releases the manifesto from the other assassin. And by the way, we don’t have the CIA or the FBI or the CBP files on that guy either.”
Next Steps for Congress
As calls for subpoenas grow, it remains to be seen whether Congress will take formal action against the federal agencies involved. Johnson’s comments suggest that the issue is far from resolved, and with further investigation into the security lapses, more details may emerge in the coming weeks.
The bipartisan task force will continue its work, focusing on the systemic failures that allowed these attempts to occur. As Congress pushes for more transparency, the role of federal law enforcement in protecting public officials will remain a topic of intense scrutiny.
Conclusion: Pressure Mounts on Federal Agencies
In the wake of two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump, Sen. Ron Johnson and other lawmakers are pushing for more transparency from federal law enforcement agencies.
With critical details still missing, Johnson has called for subpoenas to compel the Secret Service and FBI to share information with Congress.
Both the Senate report and a new bipartisan task force have highlighted significant security failures, underscoring the need for improved coordination and planning within federal agencies. As Congress investigates further, the pressure on these agencies continues to grow.