Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., has expressed outrage over the Secret Service's handling of security measures surrounding former President Donald Trump after a second apparent assassination attempt on Sunday.
Burchett appeared on "Fox News Live" to discuss the details surrounding the incident outside Trump International Golf Club, where Trump was playing golf at the time. Authorities have said that the suspect, later identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, was 300 to 500 yards from Trump before the Secret Service opened fire on him.
The congressman expressed concerns about how the suspect was able to get so close to the former president and revealed that other lawmakers are demanding more stringent security measures.
Rep. Burchett Condemns Secret Service After Second Assassination Attempt on Trump
"They are already calling now. And you got to ask yourself, why was there not a drone flying over wherever the president is? This is ridiculous," Burchett said.
While criticizing the Secret Service, Burchett praised the agents who were able to spot and open fire on the suspect.
Rep. Burchett Condemns Secret Service After Second Assassination Attempt on Trump
"The problem is you've got a Secret Service, at least in my opinion, and in the public's eye, that is compromised and that it lacks in leadership. And you've got great agents on the ground, obviously, one who took that shot. But why in the world would anybody be anywhere near the perimeter of this?" Burchett said.
He emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "There is no way in hell that somebody should have been that close to President Trump with an AK Steel or AK-47 or whatever it was with a scope."
Rep. Burchett Condemns Secret Service After Second Assassination Attempt on Trump
Burchett also dismissed Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw's claims that security surrounding Trump was reduced due to his status as a former president.
"Everybody sort of knows his pattern. And I know he likes to play golf, and they know when he's in Florida, he's going to play golf. Dadgummit, they should have closed it off. They have the power to do that. They ought to do that," Burchett said.
Rep. Burchett Condemns Secret Service After Second Assassination Attempt on Trump
He added, "They're going to come to us for more money. I think they need to quit with the DEI hires and start putting qualified people out there in decision-making positions instead of what they’re doing right now."
Burchett is also a member of the House task force investigating the first attempted assassination of Donald Trump in July.
The incident has raised concerns about the security measures in place to protect former presidents and the need for increased vigilance against potential threats.
