On Monday, Alejandro Mayorkas, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security who has authority over the U.S. Secret Service, expressed his opinion that the 20-year-old shooter, who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump, should not have been able to have a direct line of sight on the former president. Mayorkas believes that the incident should not have occurred in the first place.
During an interview with George Stephanopoulos on “Good Morning America”, Mayorkas expressed that the shooting incident at an outdoor campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania that resulted in Trump’s injury, a bystander’s death, and the injury of two other rallygoers, was an unfortunate event that could have been avoided.
According to Mayorkas, having a direct line of sight to the former President of the United States like George did is not acceptable.
According to Mayorkas, President Joe Biden has launched an independent investigation to determine the motive behind the actions of Thomas Matthew Crooks, the alleged gunman who positioned himself on the roof of an agriculture building approximately 400 feet away from the stage where Trump was giving his speech. The investigation is already underway, with a primary focus on the motive of the perpetrator.
According to Mayorkas, it is imperative that the Secret Service thoroughly investigates the assailant who was neutralized. He emphasized the importance of understanding the event independently and making recommendations to ensure the safety and security of the protectees. Mayorkas stated that this is one of the most crucial missions of the Secret Service, and they must take all necessary measures to fulfill it.
According to Mayorkas, maintaining the integrity of the investigative process and its conclusions is crucial for the government and the American public. He emphasized the need for an independent body outside the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that the investigative process is unbiased, and the recommendations made are trustworthy. Furthermore, Mayorkas expressed his commitment to transparency regarding the findings and recommendations of the independent review.
During the aftermath of the assassination attempt against Trump, Biden made a promise to conduct an independent investigation. He assured the public that the results of the investigation will be made public for transparency and accountability purposes.
In the interview, Mayorkas dismissed the unfounded claim that the Secret Service turned down requests for more resources to President Trump’s security team.
According to Mayorkas, the threat environment is constantly changing, and they are keeping a close eye on it. He mentioned that both the current and former presidents are commonly under threat, and they take every threat seriously. As per Mayorkas, they make security adjustments as necessary. He also stated that they had increased security for the former president since June, and they had not rejected any requests for additional security measures. Mayorkas dismissed the claim that they refused to provide additional security measures as false.
As the President of the United States, Biden has directed the Secret Service to conduct a thorough review of security plans for the upcoming Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, set to commence on Monday. Alejandro Mayorkas, the Homeland Security Secretary, expressed his unwavering confidence in the security plan that has been put in place for the RNC.
Investigation focuses on the shooter’s motive
During his rally speech, Trump was startled by the sound of gunshots and screams that followed. The former president quickly reacted by holding onto his bleeding right ear and taking cover on the ground. According to the FBI’s statement released on Sunday, Secret Service agents immediately rushed to his aid.
In a statement, the FBI stated that while they have yet to identify a motive for the shooter’s actions, they are actively working to piece together the sequence of events leading up to the shooting. This includes collecting and analyzing evidence, conducting interviews, and following up on all leads in order to gain a better understanding of the shooter’s movements prior to the tragic incident.
Law enforcement sources have started to retrace the steps of the suspect in an effort to determine how Crooks managed to reach the roof, which had been cleared before the incident, according to ABC News.
Officials stated that the individual was situated on the building beyond the security perimeter that monitors weapons as the crowd passes through. The location was less than 400 feet away from the podium where Trump was delivering his speech.
Suspicious devices found in suspect’s car and home
According to the FBI, Crook’s residence in Bethel Park, a Pittsburgh suburb, was searched by investigators from the Pittsburgh Field Office. Additionally, his vehicle, which was present at the site of the shooting in Butler, was also searched.
According to the FBI, bomb technicians have successfully neutralized the suspicious devices found at the two locations and are currently examining them at the FBI Laboratory.
According to law enforcement sources, the suspect’s father legally purchased the AR-15 style rifle that was allegedly used by Crooks in the 2019 shooting. The family is currently cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
The authorities have initiated a search of the shooter’s phone, according to the bureau.
Special Agent Kevin Rojeck stated that currently, there is no ideology linked to the subject under investigation. However, he emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages, and more information is yet to be uncovered.
Secret Service director stresses getting to the bottom of what happened
On Monday, Kimberly Cheatle, the Director of U.S. Secret Service, emphasized the agency’s dedication to investigating how the shooter was able to take a direct aim at Trump. She also expressed confidence in the Secret Service’s security strategy for the RNC.
According to Cheatle, the Secret Service is collaborating with all relevant federal, state, and local agencies to comprehend the situation, its causes, and how to prevent such incidents in the future. He emphasized the significance of the independent review that President Biden announced recently and assured their full participation in the process.
