Would-Be Donald Trump Assassin Aimed Gun at Officer, Prompting Security Probes: Report

A report reveals that the would-be assassin of former President Donald Trump aimed his gun at a local officer, prompting the officer to retreat just moments before the attack. Congress is now calling for probes into the security failures surrounding the incident.

Officer Retreated as Would-Be Trump Assassin Aimed Rifle, Prompting Security Concerns at Rally

According to a report, a police officer retreated from the rooftop that was used to shoot at former President Donald Trump just moments before shots were fired after the suspect pointed his rifle at the policeman.

According to a law enforcement source who spoke with the Associated Press, the local officer ascended onto the roof before Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire on the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

However, the source stated that the officer withdrew after the 20-year-old suspect whirled around and pointed his rifle at him.

According to The Washington Times, sources said the gunman initiated firing immediately after the officer descended the ladder.

Rallygoers initially notified the police that an individual was climbing onto a roof, prompting an officer to investigate.

The alleged gunman was seen to be situated on a rooftop in bystander videos that were shared with TMZ. After the bullets reverberated from a distance of more than 400 feet, Secret Service agents promptly fired and killed the suspect.

The former president sustained a bullet graze laceration to his right ear. He was treated at a hospital and released late on July 13.

The gunshot resulted in the death of Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old rally attendee. He was the former fire director of Buffalo Township in Pennsylvania.

At the rally, two additional men were injured by gunfire and are currently in critical condition.

Bipartisan Lawmakers Demand Investigation into Security Failures Following Assassination Attempt on Trump

Republican and Democratic legislators have already requested that the agency provide answers regarding the security posture and conduct hearings regarding the incident.

House Speaker Mike Johnson vowed a “full investigation” of the shooting, featuring testimony from USSS, DHS, and the FBI, and two Republicans on the Senate Homeland Security Committee have also called for an investigation.

House Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner, on CNN’s “State of the Union,” likewise said that Congress had “oversight scrutiny and responsibility,” and said there was a “failure of the overall broader net.”

A committee source familiar with the call informed CNN that House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green spoke with Cheatle on Sunday afternoon (July 15), during which he inquired about the circumstances that resulted in the security breaches that occurred on Saturday (July 14). According to the source, Cheatle pledged to provide the committee with the requested documents promptly.

The source also provided a detailed account of the information requests that Green has submitted to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, which encompasses USSS communications and documents related to the rally. On July 14, the Tennessee Republican wrote to Mayorkas, requesting a briefing by July 22 and documents regarding the Secret Service's security plans and communications by July 19.

James Comer, the Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has requested a briefing from the Secret Service and requested that Cheatle appear for a hearing on July 22.

New York Representatives Ritchie Torres, a Democrat, and Mike Lawler, a Republican, also introduce a measure they believe would strengthen USSS protection for Trump, Biden, and independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“As reports continue to emerge, it’s clear that more protection is needed for all major candidates for president,” the pair said in a joint statement provided to CNN.

In a separate scathing letter to the Secret Service director on July 15, Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego said that there was a “security failure at the highest level, not seen since the attempted assassination of President Reagan.”

“This cannot happen, and I demand accountability,” Gallego, who is running for an Arizona Senate seat, said.

Secret Service and FBI Deny Rejecting Security Requests Amid Trump Assassination Attempt Allegations

The Secret Service, local law enforcement in Pennsylvania who assisted in securing the rally venue, and sources close to Trump's campaign are all denying rumors that have been circulating on social media, including by a Republican member of Congress, that the agency had rejected requests from Trump's team for additional security.

The Secret Service announced in a statement that the level of detail had been elevated only recently.

“There’s an untrue assertion that a member of the former President’s team requested additional security resources and that those were rebuffed,” said Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. “This is absolutely false. In fact, we added protective resources & technology & capabilities as part of the increased campaign travel tempo.”

On July 13, the FBI also denied the implication.

“There was no additional request for security that was ever denied by the FBI,” Kevin Rojek, the FBI special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh office, said during a news conference.

Additionally, the incident prompts inquiries regarding the security of the forthcoming Republican convention. The Secret Service and law enforcement, in a display of their unwavering commitment, were recently questioned regarding their treatment of individuals who carry firearms during a press conference that outlined the RNC security plan.

Nick DeSiato, a local official, clarified that firearms would be permitted in the "soft" perimeter, which is an area beyond the magnetometers restricted to foot traffic, per Wisconsin law.