Top Points:
Security Failures Under Scrutiny: Senate lawmakers are set to grill the acting director of the Secret Service, Ronald Rowe, about the security lapses that led to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. This follows the resignation of Kimberly Cheatle, who faced intense questioning and criticism over the incident.
FBI Investigation Revelations: The FBI revealed that the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, had extensively researched mass shootings and other violent attacks. Trump, who was grazed by a bullet, has agreed to be interviewed as a crime victim, with the interview expected to take place on Thursday.
Trump's Critique and Praise: In a Fox News interview, Trump defended the Secret Service agents who protected him but criticized the lack of coordination with local police. He praised the sniper who killed Crooks but noted the timing of the shot could have been earlier to prevent casualties.
Full Report:
Senate lawmakers are set to question the acting director of the Secret Service on Tuesday about the security failures leading up to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. This hearing is part of an ongoing series of congressional inquiries focused on the incident.
Ronald Rowe recently assumed the role of acting director after Kimberly Cheatle resigned following a contentious House hearing. During that hearing, Cheatle faced intense scrutiny and was unable to provide satisfactory answers regarding the communication breakdowns that preceded the July 13 shooting.
Rowe will testify alongside FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate at a joint hearing of the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees.
The FBI disclosed new information on Monday about its investigation, revealing that the assailant, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, had researched mass shootings, power plants, improvised explosive devices, and the May assassination attempt of the Slovakian prime minister.
The FBI also announced that Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential nominee, has agreed to be interviewed as a crime victim. Last week, the bureau reported that Trump had been grazed in the ear by a bullet or fragment during the incident. Trump stated on Monday night that he expects the interview to occur on Thursday.
The primary focus of Tuesday's hearing will be on Rowe, as lawmakers seek answers on how Crooks managed to get so close to Trump. Investigators believe Crooks fired eight shots at Trump from an AR-style rifle after climbing onto a rooftop approximately 135 meters (147 yards) from where Trump was speaking in Butler, Pennsylvania.
One rally attendee was killed, and two others were injured. Crooks was ultimately shot dead by a Secret Service counter-sniper.
During her hearing last week, Cheatle admitted that the Secret Service had "failed" in its mission to protect Trump. She described the assassination attempt as the Secret Service's "most significant operational failure" in decades and pledged to thoroughly investigate the failures and prevent a recurrence.
Cheatle revealed that the Secret Service had been alerted about a suspicious individual multiple times before the rally. She also disclosed that the rooftop from which Crooks fired had been identified as a potential vulnerability days before the event.
Cheatle stated that she personally apologized to Trump following the assassination attempt.
In a Monday night interview on Fox News, Trump defended the Secret Service agents who shielded him during the shooting but criticized the lack of coordination with local police. "They didn't speak to each other," he said.
Trump praised the sniper who neutralized Crooks with an impressive shot but added, "It would have been good if it was nine seconds sooner."
Original Story by The Associated Press, Newsmax
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