WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives has approved the establishment of a task force to investigate the security breaches surrounding the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump that occurred on July 13.
This decisive vote reflects a rare moment of bipartisan unity following the shooting incident during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump narrowly escaped death. One individual was killed, and two others sustained serious injuries, prompting lawmakers to act swiftly with hearings and a demand for accountability.
The legislation secured unanimous approval with a vote of 416-0.
“Ensuring the safety of our nation’s leaders is a duty that transcends political affiliations,” stated House Speaker Mike Johnson.
The newly formed task force will comprise 13 members, with a majority of seven Republicans and six Democrats. Its main objective will be to assess the events of the assassination attempt and provide recommendations to avert similar security failures in the future. A comprehensive report is expected to be released by December 13, with subpoena powers granted to the task force.
The bill is led by Rep. Mike Kelly, representing Butler, the site of the shooting. Kelly was present at the rally accompanied by family members.
“My community is in mourning,” Kelly remarked. “The shock of this event has resonated deeply in Butler and throughout the nation. We owe it to our constituents to seek answers.”
Kelly expressed concerns about the safety of the rally site beforehand, noting it may not have been suitable for such a large event. He emphasized that the task force represents an opportunity to restore public confidence that lawmakers can collaboratively address pressing issues.
House committees have already conducted multiple hearings related to the shooting incident. In a significant development, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned following her appearance before Congress, where she faced intensive scrutiny from both sides of the aisle regarding the security lapses. Cheatle described the assassination attempt as the Secret Service’s most critical operational failure in decades but failed to provide satisfactory answers to lawmakers’ inquiries during the session.
Democratic representatives have also endorsed the formation of the task force, condemning the event in Butler as an abhorrent act that should have been averted.
“It is imperative that we uncover the facts. We must seek the truth and take necessary measures to prevent future occurrences of this nature,” asserted Rep. Jim McGovern.
This report has been updated to clarify that the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump took place on July 13, not June 13.
