In response to the recent assassination attempt on President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson has pledged a comprehensive congressional investigation — we’ll see. The incident, which occurred at a rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania, left Trump with a wound to his ear and resulted in one attendee’s death and two others injured.
On Sunday, Johnson called the attack “a horrific act of political violence” during an appearance on “Today.” He assured the public that Congress would investigate the event thoroughly to identify any security failures. “Congress will con duct a full investigation of the tragedy to determine where there were lapses in security,” Johnson posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The FBI identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks as the shooter. Crooks was killed at the scene by law enforcement. The investigation revealed that Crooks had explosives in his car and bomb-making materials at his home, raising significant concerns about the extent of his plans.
Rep. James Comer (R-KY), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has also taken action. Comer sent a letter to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, inviting her to testify before the committee on July 22. In his letter, Comer emphasized the need to understand how Crooks managed to carry out the attack and what security measures were in place.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) echoed these concerns, sending a letter to Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, demanding an investigation. Hawley highlighted the apparent security lapse that allowed the shooter to gain a vantage point with a clear shot at the former president.
“The little that we do know suggests a staggering security failure,” Hawley wrote. He further insisted that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testify under oath about the incident.
Johnson declined to provide further comments beyond his initial statements. Comer and Hawley have not yet responded to requests for additional comments. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on understanding and addressing the security breaches that allowed this tragic event to occur.
