Speaker Mike Johnson announces expansion of task force, group to investigate Florida attempt additionally
As the Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump awaits a briefing on the Sept. 15 assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson has stated that Congress will expand the scope of the task force.
The bipartisan task force, headed by U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, wrote a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI director Christopher Wray Sept. 17, asking for a member-level briefing on the Sept. 15 assassination attempt no later than Sept. 20. Additionally, the task force asked for new documents and interviews relating to the July 13 assassination attempt on Trump.
Johnson said in a post on X that Trump deserves the same Secret Service protection as President Joe Biden, and that the task force investigating the assassination attempt would get answers relating to both assassination attempts.
A source familiar with the matter told the Eagle that an expansion of the task force has not yet been finalized by Congress.
The documents requested include communications between or among FBI officials, including the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, and the U.S. Secret Service or state police; Special event threat assessments related to the July 13 event; transcripts for witness interviews; and documents and materials in the investigation into the July 13 shooter.
Transcripts requested by the task force include interviews with the U.S. Secret Service; the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, Butler Township Police Department, Butler County Emergency Services Unit, Beaver County Emergency Services Unit, Washington County Emergency Services Unit, and state police; Trump; the shooter’s immediate family; and owners and customers of the Clairton Sportsmen’s Club.
The task force asked that the documents be supplied no later than Sept. 24.
