A new bipartisan U.S. House task force report reveals significant security failures in the lead-up to the July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump occurred. The report criticizes a breakdown in communication between the Secret Service and local law enforcement, which allowed a gunman to fire from a rooftop just 150 yards from Trump.
The 53-page interim report, authored by seven Republicans and six Democrats, highlights the failure to hold crucial joint meetings with state and local agencies before the event.
Investigators found that the building where the shooter was located was placed outside the security perimeter despite having clear sight lines to the stage and an elevated vantage point.
Local sniper teams were stationed in the building but had a limited field of vision and were unaware that securing the roof was their responsibility.
The report also faults law enforcement for failing to engage the shooter, whose suspicious behavior went unnoticed due to fragmented communication. Ultimately, the task force concluded that the events of July 13 were preventable.
The task force plans to release a final report with legislative recommendations by Dec. 13. Members may also visit the site of a second assassination attempt in Florida later this year.
