Friday, 15 November 2024

Mayorkas Subpoenaed Over Security Failures Leading Up To Attempted Trump Assassination


WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 15: U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas speaks at the daily press briefing at the White House on July 15, 2024 in Washington, DC. The press briefing focused on the assassination attempt on Republican presidential nominee former president Donald Trump and the U.S. Secret Service response.Credit: Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images.

House lawmakers subpoenaed Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Friday over the security failures leading up to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump last week.

House Committee on Homeland Security Mark Green (R-TN) told Mayorkas that he must provide certain documents on how the Secret Service planned to secure the area where Trump was shot in Butler, Pennsylvania last week and provide what policies the Secret Service had in place for dealing with assassination attempts. Green is also seeking Homeland Security communications regarding providing security for Trump. 

“The Department of Homeland Security has failed to properly satisfy our requests for documents and information regarding the security efforts to prevent and respond to the assassination attempt on President Trump — and the piecemeal information it has provided over phone calls is woefully inadequate,” Green said in a statement. 

“In order for this Committee to conduct proper oversight over DHS and the U.S. Secret Service, the department and agency must cooperate,” he added. “This Committee is dedicated to getting answers regarding what happened on Saturday in Pennsylvania, which not only resulted in the near assassination of a former president, but also the murder of a father of two, and the severe injury of two other Americans. The American people, the Comperatore family, and the individuals who receive protective services deserve accountability.” 

During Trump’s rally, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks was able to get within 150 yards of Trump and fire multiple shots at the former president. Trump was struck in the ear, two rally goers were critically injured, and 50-year-old Corey Comperatore was killed.

“Due to the extraordinary and urgent circumstances under investigation, and with less than four months before the election, the Committee seeks swift and thorough compliance with its requests for documents and information,” Green wrote 

“Analyzing the security plan for the event site, direct evidence of protective resource levels, and the rules of engagement for U.S. Secret Service (USSS) agents will begin to provide the factual grounds to assess security and policy shortcomings,” he added.

The Secret Service has come under sharp criticism over its handling of the rally, with calls for Director Kimberly Cheatle to step down. Mayorkas previously said that he has 100% confidence in her. Green said that Mayorkas has so far declined requests to meet with the committee. 


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