Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, announced an investigation Wednesday into the “monumental security failure” that enabled the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
In a Tuesday letter to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and Department of Homeland Security Director Alejandro Mayorkas, Grassley wrote that “the lack of information from your agencies is unacceptable. You owe Congress and the American people full and complete transparency on how this tragedy could possibly occur.”
Grassley sent letters to the Secret Service, DHS, DHS Office of Inspector General, Department of Justice, and FBI to request “records and responses” about the assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania that wounded the former president and two attendees and killed one rally goer.
Biden’s security agencies paved the way for the gunman to shoot Trump, as The Federalist and others have reported, by allegedly refusing to beef up his thinly stretched security team, diverting resources to a nearby Jill Biden event the same day, excluding the would-be assassin’s post from the security perimeter, keeping law enforcement from the shooter’s post because the building’s roof was “sloped,” and leaving a clear line of sight from the shooter to the former president.
Demanding Records from Secret Service and DHS
“Reports and photos that day indicate that witnesses saw the gunman in advance and later on the roof and attempted to warn law enforcement officers of his position prior to him opening fire, but it’s unclear when, if, or how these messages were communicated to Secret Service agents on duty,” Grassley wrote. “I write today for information concerning whether USSS policies and procedures were followed prior to, during, and after the assassination attempt against former President Trump, including how the USSS was or was not alerted to the gunman’s position when multiple reports provided that witnesses within the crowd attempted to alert local law enforcement of the gunman’s location.”
The Secret Service claims it added additional resources before the rally, but never specified what those were, according to Grassley’s letter.
“To put this matter to rest one way or the other, you must provide details with respect to what additional resources were added and when,” he wrote.
Grassley also explained in his letter “longstanding” concerns about the Secret Service, including previous issues with staffing, training, radios, and incident review. He requested a list of records regarding the agency’s actions that day “so that Congress may conduct independent oversight concerning DHS and Secret Service.”
Additionally, Grassley demanded to know whether “all requests for additional Secret Service resources to protect President Trump or his family been fulfilled” and asked for “a copy of the Secret Service advance plan assessing risks and establishing the security perimeter for the rally.” He requested “the names of all USSS supervisors who were responsible for reviewing and approving the security plan” and “the names of all Secret Service personnel present that day.”
“Was USSS alerted by state or local law enforcement, or members of the public that the
suspected gunman was on top of the roof with a rifle prior to firing?” he probed. “Has USSS interviewed any individuals who attended the rally?”
“I anticipate that your written reply and some responsive documents will be unclassified,” reads Grassley’s letter.
Grassley said the Secret Service and DHS must respond by July 23.
Warning FBI and DOJ Not to Destroy Records
Grassley also sent a letter Tuesday to Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray, ordering them to share their findings after investigating the assassination attempt. He told them to preserve any relevant records.
“In the past, Justice Department personnel have destroyed records relating to the investigations they had worked on,” Grassley wrote. “It is critical that a full and thorough review be conducted regarding this attack and that the Congress be given information with respect to the scope of the investigation and its results.”
Grassley asked for a list of relevant documents and answers to questions including whether the FBI was aware of the threat beforehand. The FBI and DOJ have until July 23 to respond.
Urging Review by DHS Inspector General
Grassley wrote DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari on Tuesday, demanding a review of the Secret Service’s actions that day and asking whether DHS has been withholding information.
“Trump came within a centimeter of death because a gunman was able to get within hundreds of feet and in direct line of fire from where he spoke to his supporters,” Grassley wrote. “Although investigations are ongoing, it’s clear that a full and complete review must be done of this catastrophic security failure.”
Grassley said Cuffari must respond by Friday.
One day before Grassley’s letters, the U.S. House Oversight Committee, which had been investigating the Secret Service for months before the assassination attempt against Trump, similarly sent a letter to Cheatle. The committee ordered her to preserve relevant documents and produce information by Thursday.
Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., will subpoena Cheatle to “head off any attempt by DHS to backtrack on her appearance” at her scheduled July 22 hearing, committee spokeswoman Jessica Collins announced Tuesday.
“Cheatle must answer to Congress and the American people about the historic failure that occurred on her watch,” Collins said.
