Senator James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, has raised concerns following a briefing where the Secret Service appeared to shift blame onto local law enforcement for failing to sweep the roof where Thomas Matthew Crooks, the individual who attempted to shoot former President Trump, was stationed.
As the lead Republican on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee, Lankford expressed disappointment in the Secret Service's attempt to deflect responsibility during a call with Senators. He highlighted that the Secret Service is the primary agency tasked with coordinating all law enforcement efforts in such situations.
Lankford emphasized that the Secret Service's decision to allow President Trump to step onto the stage despite an active search for a potential threat was a critical error. He stressed that the agency should have either verified the individual's threat level or apprehended him before the incident occurred.
The senator revealed that efforts are underway to determine who authorized Trump's appearance on stage despite the known security risk. Lankford also called for transparency from the FBI and Secret Service regarding their mitigation strategies and response protocols.
During the briefing, U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle acknowledged mistakes made by her team and pledged to conduct an internal investigation. However, Lankford expressed concerns about the limited information shared during the session, emphasizing the importance of combating misinformation with factual details.
As questions linger about the decision-making process leading up to the incident, Lankford urged for a thorough review of the events and a clear explanation of the agencies' actions. The senator emphasized the need for transparency to prevent the spread of conspiracy theories and ensure public trust in law enforcement.
Source has reached out to Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi for further comments on the matter.
