Task force on Trump assassination attempts set to hold hearing next week

The House task force investigating the assassination attempts against former President Trump has scheduled its first hearing for Thursday, Sept. 26.

The hearing will be focused on the “Secret Service’s Reliance on State and Local Law Enforcement” at Trump’s July rally in Butler, Pa., where a gunman opened fire. The former president was grazed by a bullet, one person was killed and two others were wounded.

Spearheaded by Chair Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) and ranking member Jason Crow (D-Colo.), the bipartisan task force will expand its scope after a second incident threatened Trump’s life.

Authorities on Sunday noticed a rifle barrel sticking through the edge of Trump’s golf course in Florida as he played a few holes away. A Secret Service agent fired at the man, who dropped his rifle and fled. Authorities later apprehended the suspect.

After the second incident, the task force said it had requested a briefing with the Secret Service. It also sent letters to the departments of Justice and Homeland Security requesting briefings and documents.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said the lawmakers will investigate the second incident in addition to the original Pennsylvania shooting.

The leaders of the task force are facing a time crunch. They are required to produce a final report by a Dec. 13 deadline, meaning they have to move at a much quicker pace than a typical congressional investigation.

Lawmakers are on break during October, prior to the election, adding another obstacle to the shortened timeline.

No witnesses have been announced yet for Thursday’s hearing.