Agencies across the federal government are deploying personnel and resources in response to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump on Saturday, which left the former president mostly unharmed but at least one bystander at the Pennsylvania campaign rally dead.
The FBI has taken the lead in the investigation, which also involves the Secret Service and several other agencies. The shooter was identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks by the FBI, which is requesting tips and relevant photos or video from the public.
Lawmakers in both parties quickly condemned the attack and multiple Republican committee leaders in the House have already pledged investigations and public hearings with testimony from agency leaders.
“There are many questions and Americans demand answers,” said Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., who chairs the House Oversight and Accountability Committee. “I have already contacted the Secret Service for a briefing and am also calling on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to appear for a hearing.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also vowed to also have Homeland Security Department and FBI officials testify in Congress.
President Biden late Saturday received a briefing from Cheatle, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Attorney General Merrick Garland, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and top White House advisors. The president said Saturday evening that he would be leaning on “every agency in the federal government” to better understand the events.
FBI
The FBI came to the event after the shooting took place and took control of the investigation.
It has deployed a slew of personnel and resources to support that effort, Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh office, told reporters Saturday night, including investigative agents, an Evidence Response Team and bomb technicians. The bureau has brought in evidence response personnel from its base Quantico, Virginia, as well as more personnel from its Washington headquarters and other field offices. Intelligence analysts in Pittsburgh are working to identify a motive, Rojek said.
The FBI is “working closely with other federal agencies,” he added.
He noted the FBI did not receive any specific threat information related to Trump’s campaign event, but said there was still much to unfold in the process.
“A lot of things need to occur investigatively to make those determine what, if any, failures there were,” Rojek said.
Secret Service
Following protocol, Secret Service agents quickly surrounded Trump to protect the former president after shots were fired and before quickly ushering him away. Video footage appeared to show agency snipers shooting the man later identified as Crooks moments after Crooks allegedly fired his shots, and Anthony Guglielmi, a Secret Service spokesman, confirmed that Secret Service agents “neutralized the shooter.”
Trump, Biden and agency officials all praised Secret Service for quickly springing into action, but questions still remained over the security lapse that allowed the shooter access to a vantage point from which Crooks allegedly fired the shots.
Rojek called the events “surprising” and said Secret Service—which did not participate in Saturday’s briefing—itself had to answer for how that came to pass.
“They conduct the initial site survey,” Rojek said. “They do the initial security assessments and determine where the different security locations should be, and they’re the ones who are in charge of securing the scene.”
Guglielmi denied rumors that the agency turned out requests from Trump’s campaign team to add additional security resources. Instead, he said, the agency added “protective resources and technology” to support the campaign.
Secret Service and other federal law enforcement agencies are currently working with the Republican National Committee ahead of its convention this week to provide security for the event. Biden on Sunday said Secret Service would review its security measures ahead of the convention. He also promised an “independent review” of the agency’s efforts on Saturday and said he instructed the agency to provide “every resources, capability and protective measure to ensure” Trump’s continued safety.
Justice Department
Justice’s National Security Division is working with Secret Service and state and local law enforcement to provide additional resources, Garland said. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania is also providing support.
“We will not tolerate violence of any kind, and violence like this is an attack on our democracy,” Garland said. “The Justice Department will bring every available resource to bear to this investigation.”
The Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said it was assisting FBI and other federal law enforcement, calling it a “top priority” but noting it could offer no further comment.
Homeland Security Department
Mayorkas said DHS has engaged with Biden, Trump and their campaign teams to implement “every possible measure to ensure their safety and security.” DHS did not immediately respond to an inquiry into which of its components are involved in response efforts, in addition to Secret Service.
“We condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms and commend the Secret Service for their swift action today,” Mayorkas said. “Maintaining the security of the Presidential candidates and their campaign events is one of our Department’s most vital priorities.”
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