Members of the House Homeland Security Committee visit the site of the Trump assassination attempt, citing miscommunication between local police and the Secret Service as a primary concern.
Local Pennsylvania police officers were reportedly denied access to a Secret Service command center during former President Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, according to Republican Tennessee Rep. Mark Green.
Green, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, led a bipartisan delegation to the Butler Farm Show grounds on Monday, July 22, where 20-year-old Thomas Crooks attempted to assassinate Trump on July 13.
Trump Assassination Attempt: Congress Raises Concerns over Communication Breakdown
Green stated that the local sheriff informed the committee that they had previously been permitted to have a representative in the Secret Service control room at such events, but this time it was not allowed.
Green, an Army veteran, emphasized that this is an example of the miscommunication between local and federal law enforcement, and the committee is investigating further to clarify the use of radios by law enforcement during the rally.
Trump Assassination Attempt: Congress Raises Concerns over Communication Breakdown
Fox News legal and criminal analyst Paul Mauro explained that a command center is typically the central hub for representatives from all law enforcement agencies involved in securing an event, facilitating communication and decision-making.
During Trump's rally, the command center was set up under a tent. A USSS spokesperson stated that the Secret Service is fully accountable for protecting its protectees and is committed to understanding the circumstances surrounding the assassination attempt and preventing similar incidents in the future.
Trump Assassination Attempt: Congress Raises Concerns over Communication Breakdown
The Butler County Sheriff's Office and Butler Police Department did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital, while the Pennsylvania State Police declined to comment due to the ongoing investigation.
Green expressed concerns after the tour, stating that some committee members were able to easily climb onto the roof that Crooks shot from without any security equipment. He also questioned why a nearby water tower was not utilized by law enforcement for security purposes.
Trump Assassination Attempt: Congress Raises Concerns over Communication Breakdown
Republican Pennsylvania Rep. Mark Kelly, who is from the area, commented on reports that law enforcement was aware of a suspicious person about an hour before Trump took the stage on July 13.
Kelly emphasized the need for accountability and questioned why Trump was allowed to proceed with his speech if there were concerns about a potential threat.
Trump Assassination Attempt: Congress Raises Concerns over Communication Breakdown
Green and other lawmakers are calling for Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to resign following the assassination attempt, which resulted in the death of 50-year-old attendee Corey Comperatore and the critical wounding of 57-year-old David Dutch and 74-year-old James Copenhaver.
Cheatle faced questions from members of the House Oversight Committee on Monday, where she pledged cooperation with ongoing investigations but did not provide a definitive answer when asked if she would be willing to terminate employees who made poor decisions.
Trump Assassination Attempt: Congress Raises Concerns over Communication Breakdown
Federal law enforcement continues to investigate Crooks' motive for shooting the former president.
