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Homeland Security inspector general investigatesSecret Service handling of security at Trump rally
The Department of Homeland Security'sinspector general says it is investigating the US Secret Service's handling of security for formerPresident Donald Trump on the day a gunman tried toassassinate him at a Pennsylvania rally.
The agency said in a brief notice onits website on Wednesday the objective was to evaluate the Secret Service's"process for securing former President Trump's July 13, 2024 campaignevent".
There was no date given for when theinvestigation was launched. The notice was among a long list of ongoing casesthat the inspector general's office is pursuing.
The shooting has raised questions abouthow the gunman was able to climb onto a roof with a clear line of site to theformer president, who was injured.
President Joe Biden already haddirected an independent review of the security at the rally.
The 20-year-old shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, wasable to get within 135 metres of the stage where the Republicanformer president was speaking when he opened fire.
That's despite a threat on Trump's life from Iran leading to additional security for the former president in the days before the Saturdayrally.
A bloodied Trump was quickly escortedoff the stage by Secret Service agents, and agency snipers killed the shooter.
Trump said the upper part of his rightear was pierced in the shooting. One rallygoer was killed, and two otherscritically wounded.
Secret Service director Kim Cheatlesaid the agency understood the importance of the review ordered by Biden andwould fully participate in it as well as with congressional committees lookinginto the shooting.
She said the agency was working tounderstand how Saturday's shooting happened and to make sure something like itnever does again.
The agency of roughly 7800 staff membersis responsible for protecting presidents, vice presidents, their families,former presidents, their spouses and their children under the age of 16 and afew other high-level Cabinet officials such as the Homeland Security secretary.
