WASHINGTON — A bipartisan House panel has concluded that the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania last July was “preventable and should not have happened.” This assessment comes from a newly released report examining what the panel describes as significant security failures that occurred during the event, where Trump was injured by gunfire. Tragically, the incident resulted in the death of one individual and injuries to two others.
The report, issued by a House task force on Monday, highlights a series of law enforcement deficiencies that were evident leading up to the shooting on July 13 at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. A critical concern raised by both House and Senate members was the lack of effective communication between the Secret Service—charged with the safety of high-profile figures—and local law enforcement during the rally. Attendees had identified the venue as posing a security risk; however, inadequate measures allowed the shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, to infiltrate the premises.
Lawmakers expressed their frustration regarding the “fragmented lines of communication and unclear chains of command” observed between the Secret Service and Pennsylvania’s state and local police forces, placing most of the responsibility for the security failure on the Secret Service. The report noted that “federal, state, and local law enforcement officers could have engaged Thomas Matthew Crooks at several pivotal moments.” As the suspect’s behavior raised concerns throughout the day, the lack of coordinated communication hindered law enforcement’s ability to prevent him from accessing the unsecured roof from which he later fired.
The task force emphasized that the evidence gathered indicates that the tragic events of July 13 were entirely preventable. Its findings stem from extensive documentation, including thousands of pages of records, interviews with state and local officials, and classified briefings from senior officials at both the Secret Service and the FBI.
While this report reiterates earlier conclusions regarding the inadequate response of the Secret Service—findings that have been previously highlighted by independent investigations, Senate reports, and media coverage—it does not specify any individuals who may bear responsibility for the failures. Previous reports indicated that at least five Secret Service agents have faced modified duties following the incident, while the agency’s director at that time, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned shortly afterward, accepting full accountability for the failure in security.
The task force, which comprises seven Republican and six Democratic members, presented part of its findings in a public hearing last month. They are expected to finalize their report, which will include suggestions aimed at preventing future assassination attempts against political figures, by mid-December.
Additionally, the task force has begun to explore another assassination attempt on Trump, which occurred last month when a man armed with a rifle was found posted outside one of Trump’s golf courses in southern Florida.
