Butler police testify on Secret Service role in Trump assassination attempt investigation

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The House task force investigating the assassination attempt on Donald Trump during a campaign rally in July has concluded that security failures were primarily the responsibility of the Secret Service. This determination was made during the task force's first hearing, which featured testimonies from local law enforcement officials present at the July 13 event in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The hearing revealed concerns regarding the Secret Service's preparation and planning for the rally. Task Force Chairman Mike Kelly (R-PA) emphasized the need for answers regarding the agency's decisions, stating that there was a lack of leadership that led to security vulnerabilities on that day. Local officials, including Sergeant Edward Lenz from the Adams Township Police Department, testified that their department had deployed more personnel than requested by the Secret Service but did not plan for a sniper team on the building where the gunman was positioned.

Lenz indicated that local officers reported suspicious behavior to the Secret Service, noting that their actions likely averted further danger. Drew Blasko, a patrolman with Butler Township Police Department, echoed this sentiment, stating that local officials acted to the best of their abilities given the information available at the time.

This investigation follows Congress's unanimous decision to establish a task force to probe the July assassination attempt, which includes both Republican and Democratic members.