Title: House Task Force Report Reveals Security Failures in Trump Assassination Attempts
Washington, D.C. – A House task force investigating two assassination attempts on President-elect Donald Trump has released a comprehensive final report highlighting significant security failures and offering recommendations to prevent future incidents. The report follows a July 13 attack in Butler, Pennsylvania, where gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire during a rally, grazing Trump’s ear before being shot by Secret Service agents.
The 180-page report, compiled by a bipartisan panel of seven Republicans and six Democrats, emphasizes that the Butler incident was preventable, attributing the lapse to multiple failures rather than a single decision. The task force stated that "preexisting issues in leadership and training" compromised security, resulting in inexperienced agents being assigned crucial planning roles.
In response to the incidents—including a foiled second attempt on September 15 in West Palm Beach, Florida—the task force conducted 46 interviews, examined 18,000 pages of documents, and visited key event sites. Their findings suggest that the Secret Service’s current protective mission must be prioritized over its investigative responsibilities, leading to a call for Congress to evaluate its dual roles within the Department of Homeland Security.
Among the 36 recommendations offered to improve security, the task force recommends limiting the number of officials protected during campaign seasons and consolidating security plans across law enforcement agencies. They also urged enhancements to training protocols and reassessed protective measures during large events.
While the investigation has concluded, the panel urged Congress to further explore the attackers’ motivations, which remain largely unclear. Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe admitted the agency’s failures, outlining measures already taken to enhance security protocols post-incident.
As the task force wraps its investigation, it aims to address ongoing concerns about the effectiveness and capacity of the Secret Service in safeguarding the nation’s leaders.
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