U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) released preliminary findings Sunday regarding the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during his July 13, 2024, campaign rally in Butler, PA.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Senator Johnson’s office reached out to federal, state, and local government entities, as well as private companies, seeking information about the security failures at the rally.
The preliminary findings are based on the initial information obtained over the past week.
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Senator Johnson is sharing these findings with the public to promote transparency and to ensure that all entities investigating the assassination attempt have access to this information.
The five preliminary findings are as follows:
- The Secret Service did not attend a security briefing provided to local SWAT and sniper teams on the morning of July 13, 2024.
- Local law enforcement reported that communications were siloed, and there was no frequent direct radio contact with the Secret Service.
- Local law enforcement notified command about the suspect, Thomas Crooks, prior to the shooting and received confirmation that the Secret Service was aware of the notification.
- After the shooting, Secret Service agents were seen on the roof of the American Glass Research (AGR) building with local law enforcement. Photos of the shooter were sent to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) for facial recognition.
- According to local law enforcement, the Secret Service initially planned not to send snipers to the rally.
These preliminary findings include a timeline of significant events based on information obtained by the senator’s office.
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On July 14, 2024, Senator Johnson wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray, demanding the preservation of records and information related to the security of the Butler rally.
He also requested background information on the alleged gunman and all texts and communications between law enforcement agents, including Secret Service personnel, from July 11, 2024, to July 14, 2024.
The Department of Justice (DOJ), DHS, and FBI have failed to provide any of the requested information and have not confirmed whether they will preserve the relevant records.
Senator Johnson said the continued lack of transparency from these federal agencies is entirely unacceptable.
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