The House task force investigating the failed assassination attempt against Donald Trump visited the site of the shooting this week—and yes, there is still confusion about what went wrong.
The House’s bipartisan team took a field trip to Butler, Pennsylvania on Monday August 26 in an effort to better understand what happened on July 13. That day saw the near murder of the former president, who sustained an ear injury, as well as two other serious wounds to attendees and the tragic death of a heroic father protecting his family from spraying bullets.
The visit comes amid ongoing confusion and investigation into the shooting, which has already led to the resignation of the Secret Service director and the placement on many agency members on administrative leave. But the visit that was intended to answer some questions only led to more.
Rep. Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat and ranking member of the task force, said he is more confused now that he has seen the site. Similarly, Florida GOP Rep. Laurel Lee and Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Madeline Dean pointed out that they were surprised to observe how close the shooter—who was killed by the Secret Service—managed to get so close to Trump during the rally.
Lee noted that the area is “not a large” one and added that the in-person visit was a “critical step” for the task force. The group has a deadline of December 13 and is expected to utilize its permission to subpoena individuals in their investigation.
GOP Rep. Mark Kelly of Pennsylvania, who is spearheading the task force, said the day after they visited the rally site that they will “get the truth” for the American people. Speaking about the visit, he said that not one person has “ever come completely clean” regarding the incident on July 13, leaving even the task force continuously confused.
Kelly also pointed out his lack of understanding about how the “most elite” members of law enforcement “in the world” who are only on site to “protect that candidate” manage to “fail” to do just that.
