WASHINGTON, D.C. — Republicans in Congress are already preparing for multiple investigations into the security failures that led to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump less than a week ago.
What You Need To Know
- Multiple agencies and House committees are launching investigations into the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump
- Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan is leading an investigation into the FBI's handling of the incident
- House Republicans are speaking out on what they want to see come from the inquiries
For Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, the shooting was personal. The former podiatrist helped save the life of Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., after Scalise was shot during a congressional baseball practice in 2017.
“The fact that the president was just centimeters away from being killed should be concerning to all of us,” Wenstrup said. “And I’m saying this as someone who has been shot at.”
After that shooting, police presence at congressional baseball events was made more visible. Following the assassination attempt on Trump, Wenstrup said the Secret Service may need to make similar changes.
House Republicans are demanding a quick investigation into what went wrong and preparing questions they want answered.
“How is it that someone could get on a roof with a superior position with a weapon and attempt to assassinate former President Donald Trump? It's just unthinkable, unfathomable,” said Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio. “We need to know: is this a protocol failure? Is this a resources issue or is this just a failure of those who are on site that day?”
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, has already scheduled a hearing next week to oversee the FBI’s investigation of the shooting. FBI Director Christopher Wray will testify.
“I told them he should be ready. He should be ready to answer questions,” Jordan said. “And frankly, I think, and I kind of conveyed this yesterday in the call, there are lots of Americans who have real concerns about the FBI’s ability to do the kind of investigation needs to be done.”
Meanwhile Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio—now Trump’s vice presidential running mate—is using the incident to boost support for their campaign.
“I want all Americans to go and watch the video of a would-be assassin coming a quarter of an inch from taking his life,” Vance said Wednesday at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Multiple agencies are launching their own investigations, including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security. President Joe Biden has ordered an independent investigation, and the House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to testify next week.