Senate lawmakers are demanding answers regarding the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump after a briefing from the U.S. Secret Service left them unsatisfied.

A number of legislators participated in a conference call on Wednesday with the U.S. Secret Service to discuss the shooting and attempted assassination of Trump, and though the private briefing aimed to address concerns about the incident, many left the session still highly critical of the agency's actions and subsequent response, as Fox News reports.

Gunman Identified as Suspicious Before Shooting

The gunman, noted as suspicious one hour before the shooting, was lost by the Secret Service. He was known to have been carrying a rangefinder and a backpack, raising alarms among the senators regarding the security lapse.

Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso criticized Wednesday's briefing, describing it as a "100% cover-your-a-- briefing" and highlighted the lack of accountability within the Secret Service.

"No one has taken responsibility," Barrasso said. "The Secret Service lost sight of him. No one has been held responsible. Someone has died. The president was almost killed. The head of the Secret Service needs to go."

Senators Express Disappointment with Secret Service Response

Tennessee Repubican Sen. Marsha Blackburn echoed Barrasso’s concerns, expressing her disappointment with the Secret Service’s response before Trump went on stage in Butler, Pennsylvania.

"I was appalled" she stated, referencing the Secret Service's knowledge of the threat before Trump appeared.

"I have no confidence in the leadership of Director [Kimberly] Cheatle and believe it is in the best interest of our nation if she steps down from her position," Blackburn added. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also called for Director Kimberly Cheatle's resignation, emphasizing the need for "answers and accountability."

Calls For House Oversight Committee Examination

In addition to Senate criticism, over two dozen Texas lawmakers, led by Rep. Ellen Troxclair, have urged the House Oversight Committee to examine the political rhetoric used against Trump prior to the shooting. "Americans deserve answers," Troxclair said. "At minimum, we need to understand how the attempted assassination was able to occur and what will be done to ensure it does not happen again."

On Monday, Cheatle announced that the Secret Service would cooperate with an independent review ordered by President Biden.

"The Secret Service is working with all involved federal, state and local agencies to understand what happened, how it happened, and how we can prevent an incident like this from ever taking place again," Cheatle stated. "We understand the importance of the independent review announced by President Biden yesterday and will participate fully."

Focus On Secret Service Leadership And Accountability

Senators' calls for accountability and changes in leadership reflect broader concerns about the Secret Service's ability to protect high-profile figures. The gunman’s close proximity to Trump and the subsequent loss of his location have fueled demands for a thorough investigation.

The briefing left many lawmakers unsatisfied with the explanations provided. They questioned how the gunman, equipped with potentially dangerous tools, was able to evade detection long enough to pose a threat.

Implications For Future Security Measures

The incident has significant implications for future security measures and protocols. Lawmakers are particularly focused on ensuring that similar lapses do not occur in the future, demanding robust changes and improvements within the Secret Service.

Director Cheatle’s willingness to cooperate with the independent review may provide some reassurance but calls for her resignation indicate deep-seated concerns about her leadership.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Senate lawmakers are pressing for answers and accountability following an unsatisfactory briefing by the U.S. Secret Service regarding the attempted assassination of former President Trump.

With heavy criticism directed at the Secret Service’s handling of the incident, there are strong calls for leadership changes and an independent review to prevent future security breaches.

Lawmakers emphasize the need for transparency and improvements in security protocols to protect high-profile figures effectively.