Task Force Members Investigating Trump Assassination Attempt Suggest Secret Service to be Separated from DHS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The congressional Task Force investigating the assassination attempts against President-Elect Donald Trump is set to release their final report within the next couple of days. Task force members shared they are considering some oversight changes for the US Secret Service (USSS).  

“The federal agencies weren’t ready that day,” said Rep. Mike Kelly (R- PA), chairman of the task force. 

Representative Kelly said communication with federal agencies like the USSS was a huge failure on the July assassination attempt in Butler County, Pennsylvania. The task force is set to release a more extensive final report on the failures leading up to the assassination attempt. Secret Service, which is tasked to protect presidents, have been criticized heavily on both sides of the aisle for not being better prepared on that day. 

“The federal agencies weren’t coordinating with the activities that should’ve been taking place,” said Rep. Kelly. “The oversight that should’ve been taking place and more importantly the preparation.” 

Rep. Kelly is suggesting the USSS, which is overseen by the Department of Homeland Security, should be a standalone agency.  

“Separating them, truly making them this elite group to increase the numbers of the people they need, all the assets they need that’s the best approach,” said Rep. Kelly. 

As for the future, Kelly believes the task force’s report and work will help protect current, former and future presidents.  

“Can we say something like this won’t ever happen again, an attempt won’t ever happen again,” asked Rep. Kelly. “No but we can say based on what we’ve looked at everything we’ve measured everything we’ve weighed this would be the ideal situation to be in to have them protected.”