Homeland Security Secretary Announces Panel on Trump Assassination Attempt
Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas said the bipartisan group of experts would get to the bottom of decisions that allowed a gunman to wound the former president at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Sure! Here is a rewritten version:
"Trump Rally Shooting: Live Updates
July 22, 2024
What We Know:
- Video: How Security Failed
- Timeline of Events
- Investigations Underway
- The Suspect: Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20
- The Victims: Former President Donald J. Trump and Three Rally Attendees
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Homeland Security Secretary Announces Panel to Investigate Trump Assassination Attempt:
Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas assembles a bipartisan group of experts to review security failures after a gunman wounds former President Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania.
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Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, faces scrutiny for his role in the events leading up to the assassination attempt and his handling of the aftermath, including his interactions with the Secret Service Director.
Photo: Michael A. McCoy for The New York Times
By Hamed Aleaziz and Zolan Kanno-Youngs:
- Hamed Aleaziz provides coverage of the Department of Homeland Security.
- Zolan Kanno-Youngs covers updates from the White House.
Published: July 21, 2024
Updated: July 22, 2024, 9:20 a.m. ET
On Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the formation of a panel to conduct an independent review of security failures after a gunman shot and wounded former President Donald J. Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa., last weekend.
The Secret Service, which operates under the direction of Secretary Mayorkas, faces intense criticism for its security planning decisions, leading Republican leaders to call for the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly A. Cheatle.
Mayorkas assured the public that the panel would thoroughly investigate the security breach and provide actionable recommendations to enhance the protection of the nation's leaders.
The bipartisan panel will include:
1. Janet Napolitano, former homeland security secretary
2. Frances Townsend, former homeland security adviser to President George W. Bush
3. Mark Filip, former federal judge and deputy attorney general under President Bush
4. David Mitchell, former secretary of the Delaware Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security
Mayorkas indicated that additional experts may be invited to join the panel in the coming days.
Director Cheatle expressed her willingness to cooperate with the review in a statement released on Sunday.
This announcement comes at a time when Mayorkas faces intense scrutiny for his handling of the assassination attempt, particularly regarding his interactions with Director Cheatle and the transparency of information provided to the public.
Over the weekend, Cheatle's position became increasingly uncertain as the Secret Service was forced to revise their previous statements regarding denied requests for additional security for former President Trump in the past two years.
Cheatle is expected to provide testimony before the House Oversight Committee on Monday, where she will face intense questioning about the Secret Service's actions and decisions before, during, and after the failed assassination attempt on July 13.
Republican lawmakers raised concerns about critical security lapses, including the failure to secure the warehouse roof from which the gunman shot and the decision to keep Trump on stage despite warnings about a suspicious person at the rally.
Representative Mike Turner, Republican of Ohio, appeared on CBS's "Face the Nation" on Sunday, noting that the Secret Service was aware of a potential threat nine minutes before Trump took the stage but failed to act accordingly.
The gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, from Bethel Park, Pa., managed to injure Trump, leaving his ear bloodied. Three rally attendees were also shot, one of whom succumbed to their injuries. Crooks was killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper.
Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
Officially, the Department of Homeland Security continues to express confidence in Director Cheatle's abilities, with spokeswoman Naree Ketudat stating, "The secretary has full confidence in Director Cheatle's ability to lead the U.S. Secret Service."
However, according to an administration official who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, officials within the department and the White House are increasingly frustrated with the Secret Service's handling of the situation, particularly their communication strategy.
They also criticized the agency for not having a representative at the immediate post-shooting news conference, as Cheatle was already in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention.
In an interview with ABC News on Tuesday, Cheatle defended the Secret Service's decision not to deploy agents on the roof of the warehouse, citing the steepness of the slope.
However, House Speaker Mike Johnson countered her explanation on CNN on Sunday, stating, "I've got my own security detail through Capitol Police. Those guys would go on a roof that has a 90-degree angle. I don't understand what her responses are, initially. They don't make sense to people, and she has a lot to answer for."
Despite the mounting pressure, Cheatle has stated that she has no intentions of resigning.
The Secret Service's evolving public responses have raised further questions, particularly regarding their initial denial of denied requests for additional security from the Trump campaign over the past two years.
After the rally, Republican lawmakers asserted that homeland security and Secret Service leadership had rejected these requests, a claim that the Secret Service vehemently denied at first.
However, on Saturday, the Secret Service reversed their position, acknowledging that they had indeed denied some campaign requests for Secret Service support, but emphasized their standard practice of utilizing local and state law enforcement agencies to supplement federal protection, as was the case at the Butler Farm Show grounds.
In a CNN interview on Sunday, House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed that he had spoken with Mayorkas shortly after the shooting and inquired about the security measures in place at the rally. Johnson remarked that Mayorkas lacked basic knowledge about certain security aspects, such as whether drones were used for surveillance.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the Secret Service had not requested the use of drones for aerial surveillance of the rally.
A senior homeland security official, speaking anonymously due to the ongoing investigations, clarified that the Secret Service regularly consults with the individuals they protect to determine the allocation of resources and that the department's understanding is that the Secret Service had not denied resources to the Butler rally.
The official also explained that Mayorkas did not go into details about drone usage with Johnson as the speaker's call focused primarily on the assassination attempt itself.
Director Cheatle is a seasoned veteran of the Secret Service, having served in the protective detail of former Vice Presidents Dick Cheney and Joe Biden. President Biden appointed her to lead the agency in 2022.
Former President Trump expressed gratitude to the Secret Service for their swift response to the shooting, thanking them and all law enforcement personnel involved in a social media post last weekend.
Hamed Aleaziz specializes in coverage of the Department of Homeland Security and immigration policy.
Zolan Kanno-Youngs is a dedicated White House correspondent, keeping readers informed about President Biden's administration.
See our comprehensive coverage of the Trump Rally Shooting:
- The Investigation: F.B.I. officials reveal that the gunman used electronic devices to search for images of Trump and President Biden.
- Security Blind Spots: Missed opportunities to prevent the deadly shooting are under scrutiny.
- The Gunman: Former classmates describe the suspect as intelligent but solitary, often the target of teasing.
- Secret Service Director: Kimberly Cheatle's leadership is under scrutiny after the assassination attempt on Trump.
- Fears of What's Next: Voters express growing anxiety about the state of America's political divide, exacerbated by the shooting.
Advertisement
Skip Advertisement"
"Trump Rally Shooting: Live Updates
July 22, 2024
What We Know:
- Video: How Security Failed
- Timeline of Events
- Investigations Underway
- The Suspect: Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20
- The Victims: Former President Donald J. Trump and Three Rally Attendees
Advertisement
Skip Advertisement
Homeland Security Secretary Announces Panel to Investigate Trump Assassination Attempt:
Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas assembles a bipartisan group of experts to review security failures after a gunman wounds former President Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Listen to this article:
[Includes a 7:57 minute audio file]
Learn more
Share the full article:
Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, faces scrutiny for his role in the events leading up to the assassination attempt and his handling of the aftermath, including his interactions with the Secret Service Director.
Photo: Michael A. McCoy for The New York Times
By Hamed Aleaziz and Zolan Kanno-Youngs:
- Hamed Aleaziz provides coverage of the Department of Homeland Security.
- Zolan Kanno-Youngs covers updates from the White House.
Published: July 21, 2024
Updated: July 22, 2024, 9:20 a.m. ET
On Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the formation of a panel to conduct an independent review of security failures after a gunman shot and wounded former President Donald J. Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa., last weekend.
The Secret Service, which operates under the direction of Secretary Mayorkas, faces intense criticism for its security planning decisions, leading Republican leaders to call for the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly A. Cheatle.
Mayorkas assured the public that the panel would thoroughly investigate the security breach and provide actionable recommendations to enhance the protection of the nation's leaders.
The bipartisan panel will include:
1. Janet Napolitano, former homeland security secretary
2. Frances Townsend, former homeland security adviser to President George W. Bush
3. Mark Filip, former federal judge and deputy attorney general under President Bush
4. David Mitchell, former secretary of the Delaware Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security
Mayorkas indicated that additional experts may be invited to join the panel in the coming days.
Director Cheatle expressed her willingness to cooperate with the review in a statement released on Sunday.
This announcement comes at a time when Mayorkas faces intense scrutiny for his handling of the assassination attempt, particularly regarding his interactions with Director Cheatle and the transparency of information provided to the public.
Over the weekend, Cheatle's position became increasingly uncertain as the Secret Service was forced to revise their previous statements regarding denied requests for additional security for former President Trump in the past two years.
Cheatle is expected to provide testimony before the House Oversight Committee on Monday, where she will face intense questioning about the Secret Service's actions and decisions before, during, and after the failed assassination attempt on July 13.
Republican lawmakers raised concerns about critical security lapses, including the failure to secure the warehouse roof from which the gunman shot and the decision to keep Trump on stage despite warnings about a suspicious person at the rally.
Representative Mike Turner, Republican of Ohio, appeared on CBS's "Face the Nation" on Sunday, noting that the Secret Service was aware of a potential threat nine minutes before Trump took the stage but failed to act accordingly.
The gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, from Bethel Park, Pa., managed to injure Trump, leaving his ear bloodied. Three rally attendees were also shot, one of whom succumbed to their injuries. Crooks was killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper.
Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
Officially, the Department of Homeland Security continues to express confidence in Director Cheatle's abilities, with spokeswoman Naree Ketudat stating, "The secretary has full confidence in Director Cheatle's ability to lead the U.S. Secret Service."
However, according to an administration official who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, officials within the department and the White House are increasingly frustrated with the Secret Service's handling of the situation, particularly their communication strategy.
They also criticized the agency for not having a representative at the immediate post-shooting news conference, as Cheatle was already in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention.
In an interview with ABC News on Tuesday, Cheatle defended the Secret Service's decision not to deploy agents on the roof of the warehouse, citing the steepness of the slope.
However, House Speaker Mike Johnson countered her explanation on CNN on Sunday, stating, "I've got my own security detail through Capitol Police. Those guys would go on a roof that has a 90-degree angle. I don't understand what her responses are, initially. They don't make sense to people, and she has a lot to answer for."
Despite the mounting pressure, Cheatle has stated that she has no intentions of resigning.
The Secret Service's evolving public responses have raised further questions, particularly regarding their initial denial of denied requests for additional security from the Trump campaign over the past two years.
After the rally, Republican lawmakers asserted that homeland security and Secret Service leadership had rejected these requests, a claim that the Secret Service vehemently denied at first.
However, on Saturday, the Secret Service reversed their position, acknowledging that they had indeed denied some campaign requests for Secret Service support, but emphasized their standard practice of utilizing local and state law enforcement agencies to supplement federal protection, as was the case at the Butler Farm Show grounds.
In a CNN interview on Sunday, House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed that he had spoken with Mayorkas shortly after the shooting and inquired about the security measures in place at the rally. Johnson remarked that Mayorkas lacked basic knowledge about certain security aspects, such as whether drones were used for surveillance.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the Secret Service had not requested the use of drones for aerial surveillance of the rally.
A senior homeland security official, speaking anonymously due to the ongoing investigations, clarified that the Secret Service regularly consults with the individuals they protect to determine the allocation of resources and that the department's understanding is that the Secret Service had not denied resources to the Butler rally.
The official also explained that Mayorkas did not go into details about drone usage with Johnson as the speaker's call focused primarily on the assassination attempt itself.
Director Cheatle is a seasoned veteran of the Secret Service, having served in the protective detail of former Vice Presidents Dick Cheney and Joe Biden. President Biden appointed her to lead the agency in 2022.
Former President Trump expressed gratitude to the Secret Service for their swift response to the shooting, thanking them and all law enforcement personnel involved in a social media post last weekend.
Hamed Aleaziz specializes in coverage of the Department of Homeland Security and immigration policy.
Zolan Kanno-Youngs is a dedicated White House correspondent, keeping readers informed about President Biden's administration.
See our comprehensive coverage of the Trump Rally Shooting:
- The Investigation: F.B.I. officials reveal that the gunman used electronic devices to search for images of Trump and President Biden.
- Security Blind Spots: Missed opportunities to prevent the deadly shooting are under scrutiny.
- The Gunman: Former classmates describe the suspect as intelligent but solitary, often the target of teasing.
- Secret Service Director: Kimberly Cheatle's leadership is under scrutiny after the assassination attempt on Trump.
- Fears of What's Next: Voters express growing anxiety about the state of America's political divide, exacerbated by the shooting.
Advertisement
Skip Advertisement"