Bowling Green Today

U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member and Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, announced that the committee will conduct a bipartisan investigation into security failures that led to the attempted assassination of Former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. Paul and Peters are requesting an urgent briefing for committee members from the U.S. Secret Service, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, followed by a public hearing.

"Violence is never acceptable, not on our streets or in our politics. We thank God that President Trump is alive, we mourn with the Comperatore family, and pray for those who were wounded. This committee has an obligation to unearth the truth about the failures on Saturday and before, no matter how inconvenient to the government. We will leave no stone unturned," said Senator Paul.

"There is no place for political violence in our nation, and Saturday’s shocking attack should never have been allowed to happen," said Senator Peters. "Our committee is focused on getting all of the facts about the security failures that allowed the attacker to carry out this heinous act of violence that threatened the life of former President Trump, killed at least one person in the crowd, and injured several others."

The text of Paul’s and Peters' letter addressed to Secretary Mayorkas and Director Wray expresses grave concern over the incident at a campaign rally in Butler, PA on July 13, 2024. The letter outlines requests for briefings on security posture at Trump's rally, how close proximity was achieved by an assailant to a Secret Service protectee resulting in injuries, and steps being taken to enhance protection measures for presidential candidates.

The briefing is requested by July 25, 2024, with a public hearing scheduled no later than August 1, 2024. The committee also seeks rolling updates on this incident from relevant agencies.