Secret Service Stonewalling Investigative Committee on Trump Assassination Attempt

Republican lawmakers allege that the Department of Homeland Security and Secret Service are obstructing their investigation into a failed assassination attempt on former President Trump.

Senator Ron Johnson, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), has expressed frustration over the limited cooperation extended by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Secret Service to the committee's probe into the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump.

Johnson highlighted the inconsistencies in the information the committee has received, including the withholding of critical materials such as the autopsy and toxicology reports, as well as trajectory reports and crime scene handling details. He emphasized that the committee has not had access to these essential documents, despite the significant time that has passed since the incident.

Secret Service Stonewalling Investigative Committee on Trump Assassination Attempt

The senator also pointed to the lack of FD-302 forms, which are typically used in investigations based on interview results. Despite assurances from FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate during a hearing in July that these forms would be provided promptly, Johnson stated that the committee has yet to receive any.

Adding to the concerns, acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe's recent briefing for committee members failed to yield any new information. The provided documents were reportedly heavily redacted, with whiteouts obscuring sections of text to an unusual extent.

Secret Service Stonewalling Investigative Committee on Trump Assassination Attempt

Johnson described the situation as "an absolute disgrace," expressing disbelief over the lack of cooperation. He accused DHS and the Secret Service of intentionally delaying the investigation.

The Secret Service, however, maintains that it is cooperating with congressional inquiries. A spokesperson noted that over 2,800 pages of documentation have been provided to the investigating entities and that сотрудников were made available for interviews. They emphasize that the volume of requests and the limited resources have necessitated the prioritization of responses to certain inquiries.

Secret Service Stonewalling Investigative Committee on Trump Assassination Attempt

The allegations of stonewalling have drawn bipartisan criticism, with Democratic senators also expressing concerns about the lack of transparency. Senator Dianne Feinstein, chair of the PSI, has called for a "full investigation" into the alleged obstruction.

Top Democrats have also condemned the Biden-Harris administration for their handling of the matter, accusing them of "stonewalling" and failing to hold those responsible accountable. Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader, has called for a special counsel investigation to be appointed by the Attorney General.

Secret Service Stonewalling Investigative Committee on Trump Assassination Attempt

The Secret Service has continuously asserted its commitment to cooperating with the investigations. However, the lack of timely and full disclosure of crucial information has cast doubt on their claims and raised questions about the extent of their cooperation.