Secret Service under scrutiny for 'lax response,' parliamentary investigation launched

Shooting Suspect Fires at Presidential Candidate from 120m Distance

As the Secret Service's (SS) inadequate response to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump has come under scrutiny, Congress has launched an investigation into the matter.

According to Bloomberg News and other foreign media on the 14th (local time), the U.S. Congress began investigating whether the SS's response was appropriate regarding the assassination attempt on former President Trump that occurred at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Congressman Carlos Gimenez announced via social media that the Senate Homeland Security Committee also plans to initiate a related investigation.

The Republican Party appears to be strengthening its stance on holding the Biden administration accountable for security issues related to this incident. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson stated, “SS Director Kimberly Cheatle will be summoned to testify.” Some Republican lawmakers are reportedly demanding Cheatle’s resignation.

The SS is facing criticism for its poor response after the suspect fired eight shots from a distance of 120 meters at the site where former President Trump was campaigning. They are also being criticized for not evacuating Trump before the shooting despite being aware of the assassination attempt.

The Washington Post (WP), citing many law enforcement officials and experts, reported, “This incident represents the most serious total breakdown of the SS since the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan.”

A senior official involved in Trump’s campaign told WP, “There were multiple requests to strengthen security for former President Trump in the months leading up to the convention, but the SS did not accept them,” emphasizing, “Since this incident occurred amid mutual distrust, we will demand answers on how the assailant was able to climb onto a roof close to former President Trump and open fire.” However, the SS responded by stating, “We have increased the number of agents providing security for presidential candidates over the past two months.”

Meanwhile, Representatives Ritchie Torres (Democrat) and Michael Roller (Republican) announced on the same day that they have introduced a bill to enable the SS to provide enhanced protection to presidential candidates.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.