In a rare occurrence of political violence targeting major party presidential candidates in the United States, two attempted assassinations against Donald Trump have taken place within just two months. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson stated during a speech at the conservative think tank America First Policy Institute (AFPI) that the investigation into the attempted assassinations of Trump will be expanded. The incidents have raised concerns and prompted calls for enhanced protection for the former president.
Johnson emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough investigation into the two assassination attempts against Trump within a short time frame. He expressed the responsibility of Congress to uncover the reasons behind these events and to identify measures to prevent such incidents in the future. As part of these efforts, the investigative focus will now also include the second assassination attempt on Trump.
Following the first assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, a bipartisan group of House members established the “Donald J. Trump Assassination Attempt Investigation Task Force.” This week, they requested a briefing from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding the most recent developments, evidence analysis, and background information on the second attempt in Florida to facilitate a more comprehensive examination by the task force.
Chairman of the task force, Mike Kelly, vowed to identify the root causes of the incidents and ensure that such occurrences do not happen again. Kelly, a federal Congressman representing the Butler region in Pennsylvania, remains resolute in pursuing justice and security in light of the attacks targeting Trump at a campaign rally earlier this year.
During the AFPI event on Tuesday, Johnson pledged to enhance security measures for Trump, acknowledging the critical need to protect the former president. Stressing the imperative to safeguard the 45th president, Johnson expressed confidence that Trump would eventually become the 47th president, recognizing him as one of the most threatened individuals globally.
Responding to queries about discussions with President Biden regarding increased protection for Trump, Johnson mentioned the challenges in direct communication with the President and the necessity to relay messages through staff. He highlighted the difficulties in effective support and decision-making when communication channels are disrupted or inefficient.
Following the second near-assassination of Trump, Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe Jr. reassured that Trump is under the highest level of protection, ensuring swift threat detection and secure evacuations when needed. Biden authorized the deployment of additional personnel and resources to enhance Trump’s security, with these reinforcements already in place and operational since yesterday.