Senate Democrat Richard Blumenthal blasts Homeland Security for "stonewalling" requests for information on assassination attempts targeting former President Trump.
Top Senate Democrat Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., has accused the Biden-Harris administration of "resisting" an investigation into assassination attempts on former President Trump and potential failures by the U.S. Secret Service.
Blumenthal, chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) within the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), expressed his "anger" at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for "stonewalling" their requests for documents, evidence, and information essential to the investigation.
Top Senate Democrat Accuses Biden-Harris Admin of Obstructing Trump Assassination Probe
The Democrat reiterated his disappointment in the department's lack of cooperation and said he is considering issuing subpoenas to compel compliance.
"We may need to require more cooperation from them. And we have the power to do so through the compulsory process. In other words, the subpoena power," Blumenthal said on Monday.
Top Senate Democrat Accuses Biden-Harris Admin of Obstructing Trump Assassination Probe
Senator Ron Johnson, R-Wis., ranking member of the PSI, echoed Blumenthal's concerns, criticizing the DHS for its lack of transparency.
"They're holding all their cards close to the vest," Johnson said, adding that the withholding of information "is driving suspicion and driving conspiracy theories."
Top Senate Democrat Accuses Biden-Harris Admin of Obstructing Trump Assassination Probe
Despite the Democrats' frustration, DHS has defended its cooperation in the investigation, claiming to have provided multiple briefings, nearly 2,500 pages of documents, and over 50 hours of transcribed interviews to the Senate.
"The Department and the U.S. Secret Service have provided the Senate with multiple briefings, nearly 2,500 pages of documents, and more than 50 hours of transcribed interviews," DHS said in a statement.
Top Senate Democrat Accuses Biden-Harris Admin of Obstructing Trump Assassination Probe
The Secret Service also defended its cooperation, stating that it has been actively cooperating with investigations conducted by the House Special Task Force, the Independent Review Panel, the DHS OIG, and the Government Accountability Office.
The HSGAC and PSI are currently investigating two assassination attempts targeting Trump. The first attempt occurred in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, while the second attempt took place at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 16.
Top Senate Democrat Accuses Biden-Harris Admin of Obstructing Trump Assassination Probe
58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspect in the Florida incident, is alleged to have pointed the muzzle of an SKS rifle through the chain-link fence outside the golf club where Trump was playing.
The investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen whether Blumenthal and his colleagues will issue subpoenas to compel further cooperation from DHS and the Secret Service.
