Putting Secret Service agents on leave after last month's assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump was not enough, said the US House speaker on Friday.
"On July 13th, a heroic father, Corey Comperatore, was shot and killed at the Butler, PA (Pennsylvania) rally – and President Donald Trump was shot in the head (ear) – just a millimeter away from being murdered too. This was a complete failure by the Secret Service," Mike Johnson wrote on X.
"Today's decision to place multiple agents on leave is the agency's first step toward accountability, but it comes 41 days after the attempt on President Trump's life – and it's nowhere near enough.”
His remarks came after local media reports that at least five Secret Service members involved in the incident, including the head of the Secret Service's Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania office, were placed on leave.
"Since the Secret Service refuses to recognize reality and will not be transparent, the House's Bipartisan Task Force will continue to aggressively and thoroughly investigate the shocking security failures, get answers, and bring accountability," Johnson added.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, a lone 20-year-old gunman, opened fire on Trump during a campaign rally in Butler County on July 13, grazing his right ear. Reports afterwards suggested Trump had coincidentally turned his body when the gun was fired, perhaps averting a much more serious injury.
The gunman killed one spectator and seriously injured two others.
After opening fire, Crooks was killed at the scene by a Secret Service agent.
Reports after the incident detailed multiple intelligence lapses, from failing to keep track of Crooks after he was identified as “suspicious” to not making sure the building roof Crooks fired from was clear, with no threats to Trump.
