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House Votes to Create Commission Charged with Probing Trump Assassination Attempt

 July 25, 2024

The House of Representatives has approved the formation of a bipartisan commission to investigate the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

In a move driven by a desire to find answers and ensure accountability, the House voted in a unanimous 416-0 fashion to establish the commission, as Fox News reports.

The commission will include seven Republican members and six Democrats, with the names of the members expected to be announced within the week. This comes on the heels of a deadly shooting incident at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, nearly two weeks ago.

At the rally, former President Trump sustained an injury when he was shot in the ear by a 20-year-old gunman positioned on a rooftop outside the event perimeter. The attack also resulted in the death of one attendee and injuries to two others, prompting swift action from House GOP leaders who expedited the bill to the floor.

Swift Bipartisan Response to Shooting Incident

The bipartisan nature of the vote, alongside joint condemnations of political violence, highlights the urgency and gravity with which lawmakers are addressing the security failures that allowed the shooting to occur. The commission will be under the leadership of Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) whose district encompasses the site of the tragic event.

Both House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) released a unified statement regarding the commission. They emphasized the shocking security breaches that permitted the assassination attempt on Trump and underscored the task force's mission to uncover facts and prevent similar occurrences.

"The security failures that allowed an assassination attempt on Donald Trump’s life are shocking," they said. "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.”

Subpoena Power and Immediate Action Authorized

The commission, equipped with subpoena authority, will work expeditiously to gather facts and ensure accountability. Johnson stressed the importance of addressing rumors and misinformation quickly, stating that the task force’s precision focus will be crucial in obtaining answers.

"Some of those rumors have begun already, and we have to address that immediately," he remarked. "The idea of a task force is that we can have sort of a precision group or unit that goes to work on this immediately. It'll be bipartisan and will have subpoena authority."

Before the vote, the deadly shooting at the Pennsylvania rally had left a deep impact. The attack on Trump not only injured the former president but also resulted in the death of one attendee and injuries to two others. Trump was promptly evacuated by the Secret Service after the incident.

Leadership Changes at the Secret Service

In a related development, U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned on Tuesday amid controversy about her agency's handling of security at the event.

The commission's formation, involving representatives from both parties, reflects a broad consensus on the need for a thorough investigation. Despite the immediate political and emotional responses, the House’s unified stance on this issue underscores a shared commitment to preventing future violence and ensuring that security measures are robust and effective.

The incident at the Trump rally has also sparked discussions about the broader issue of safety at political events. With political violence on the rise, the commission aims to offer concrete recommendations and solutions.

Rep. Kelly, who will lead the commission, expressed a commitment to a thorough examination of the facts. The bipartisan support for the commission emphasizes a collective resolve to address the flaws in security protocols that allowed the attack.

“Our goal is to find the facts, ensure accountability, and make certain such failures never happen again,” Johnson and Jeffries stated.

Political Repercussions and Future Implications

The establishment of the commission, alongside the bipartisan outrage over the assassination attempt, illustrates a rare moment of unity in an otherwise polarized political landscape. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are keen to restore public confidence in the security apparatus and prevent similar incidents in the future.

As the commission begins its work, the American public will be closely watching its progress. The transparency and thoroughness of the investigation will be critical in providing answers and ensuring that steps are taken to improve security at political events.

The House’s unanimous vote to create the commission marks a significant step towards accountability and safety in political gatherings. The forthcoming announcements about commission members and their subsequent findings will be pivotal in shaping future security measures.

In conclusion, the House's decision to form a bipartisan commission to investigate the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump marks a critical response to a serious security breach. The commission, featuring members from both parties and equipped with subpoena power, will focus on uncovering the facts behind the incident, ensuring accountability, and preventing future occurrences of political violence. This initiative underscores a unified resolve to address and rectify the flaws in security protocols.