In the aftermath of an attack on former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally, calls for new leadership at the Secret Service have intensified following a Wednesday Senate briefing on the incident.

The update from the Secret Service provided limited information on security lapses, resulting in multiple senators demanding leadership changes from the White House due to the failure to prevent the attack that left Trump wounded and resulted in the death of a retired fire chief, as USA Today reports.

Trump Briefly Wounded During Rally

On Wednesday, senators were briefed on the attack that occurred at a Pennsylvania rally where former President Donald Trump was speaking. During the attack, Trump was grazed by a bullet on his right ear.

The tragic event also saw the death of Pennsylvanian former fire chief Corey Comperatore, who was shielding his family when he was fatally wounded.

Two other men were also injured during the attack, highlighting the severity and apparent negligence surrounding the security measures in place.

Details of the Shooter and Attack

The shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, appears to have carried out the attack alone and had no accomplices, at least according to what is currently known. Investigations revealed that Crooks' father had over 20 weapons stored at their home.

Hours before the attack, local law enforcement was searching for a "suspicious" person near the rally venue. An officer, while attempting to engage Crooks, fell from a roof and was unable to respond effectively.

Crooks managed to scale a nearby building from where he fired the shot, approximately 150 yards away from Trump and the crowd.

Security Lapses and Investigation

It was revealed during the briefing that Secret Service officials failed to act on suspicious activity that had been reported 20 minutes prior to the shooting. This oversight is a critical aspect of the ongoing investigation.

So far, more than 220 individuals have been interviewed to piece together the events leading up to the attack. As investigations progress, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle is set to testify before the House Oversight Committee.

President Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas have announced an independent review to understand the failures and prevent future incidents. Homeland Security’s inspector general and a bipartisan House task force are also involved in investigating the lapse.

Senators Demand Accountability

In response to the briefing, several senators have voiced their concern publicly. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) described the briefing as a cover-up and added, "Someone has died. The President was almost killed. The head of the Secret Service needs to go."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) echoed the need for a change in leadership, stating it would be a crucial step towards accountability. An anonymous senator added that a better explanation for the delay in action was necessary.

Rep. James Comer (R-KY) underscored the gravity of the situation by labeling the attack as a total failure of the agency’s core mission, necessitating Congressional oversight. Meanwhile, Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) called for daily updates from high-ranking officials, including the FBI Director, regarding the inquiry.

Secret Service Under Scrutiny

Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that an independent review panel would examine all aspects of the incident to ensure comprehensive oversight.

After the briefing, former Secret Service Director Julia Pierson highlighted that the shooter was far closer than the 1,000-yard perimeter generally considered safe for such events, adding to the perceived negligence.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) emphasized the need for answers regarding the glaring security failures that allowed the incident to occur. His call for transparency reflects the growing demand for a thorough audit and rectification of security protocols.

Looking Forward

As the investigation unfolds, the pressure mounts on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other officials to provide clear, transparent information on what went wrong. The bipartisan call for accountability underscores the incident's significance and the need for reform in presidential security measures.

In conclusion, the attack on former President Donald Trump has spurred widespread calls for leadership changes and an extensive investigation into security failures. With multiple inquiries and testimonies on the horizon, lawmakers and the public await answers and concrete steps to prevent such an incident from reoccurring.