Lawmakers are taking the first steps to investigate an apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at his rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
The House Homeland Security and Oversight committees announced in statements Saturday night they had been in touch with the Secret Service and were requesting briefings and congressional testimony on the attack, in which one rallygoer was killed and two critically injured.
The former president appeared to be shot in the ear before being rushed to safety but was not seriously wounded.
“There are many questions and Americans demand answers,” said Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY), who has requested a hearing with Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.
“We are grateful for the bravery and quick response of the Secret Service agents,” added the Homeland Security Committee, chaired by Rep. Mark Green (R-TN). “We will be conducting thorough oversight to ensure the American people receive answers.”
Lawmakers from both parties have expressed outrage at the security lapses that allowed the shooting to happen. A Secret Service spokesman said in a statement Saturday that shots were fired from an “elevated” position outside of the rally venue.
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“The security failures surrounding the attempted assassination of a presidential candidate demand an investigation,” Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) said. “The federal government must constantly learn from security failures in order to avoid repeating them – especially when those failures have implications for the nation.”
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), a member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, called on the committee to carry out a similar investigation as those being opened in the House.
