Trump assassination attempt task force holds final hearing; Secret Service director to testify

The House task force investigating the two assassination attempts on President-elect Trump is set to hold its final hearing on Thursday before releasing its much-anticipated report. U.S. Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe will testify before lawmakers, followed by closed-door discussions among task force members to finalize their report.

Chairman Mike Kelly, R-Pa., emphasized that the hearing aims to restore confidence in federal law enforcement agencies. “What we’re working on more than anything else is the public has to know what happened that day because there’s still a lot of confusion about it,” Kelly told Fox News Digital.

The task force, led by Representatives Mike Kelly and Jason Crow, has been probing the incidents that occurred during a rally in Kelly’s district on July 13. A 20-year-old gunman opened fire on the event, injuring Trump and others, and resulting in the death of one rally attendee. In a separate incident in September, USSS agents shot a 58-year-old man who aimed a rifle at Trump’s Palm Beach, Florida, golf course.

The scrutiny following these events led to the removal of USSS Director Kimberly Cheatle. Kelly expressed regret that Cheatle could not testify before the task force but commended Rowe for taking responsibility for the agency’s failures. The final report is expected to be released around December 13, the task force’s “due date” for completing its investigation.

The panel’s interim report, released in late October, highlighted a lack of planning and coordination between the Secret Service and its law enforcement partners before the rally. Key failures included the absence of clear guidance to state and local authorities on managing security outside the perimeter and the lack of a central meeting between USSS and supporting law enforcement agencies on the day of the rally.

The task force’s findings underscore the need for improved coordination and communication among law enforcement agencies to prevent similar incidents in the future. By shedding light on the failures that occurred during the assassination attempts, the task force aims to enhance public trust in federal law enforcement agencies.

Elizabeth Elkind, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, is leading the coverage of the House of Representatives’ investigation. Follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind for updates and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com.