Jeff Duncan

07/14/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/14/2024 17:00

Congressman Duncan Calls for Independent Commission to Investigate Systemic Failures in the Protection of Donald J. Trump

Congressman Duncan Calls for Independent Commission to Investigate Systemic Failures in the Protection of Donald J. Trump

July 14, 2024
Washington, D.C. -Following the attempted assassination of former President, and Presidential candidate, Donald J. Trump and the continued release of details of the investigation that point to a catastrophic failure to ensure the safety of the 'protectee', Congressman Jeff Duncan called for an Independent Commission to investigate the security failures in Butler, Pennsylvania at the Trump Rally on July 13, 2024. Representative Duncan issued the following statement:

"Now that details of the attempted assassination of President Donald J. Trump are unfolding, we will witness federal agencies, including the United States Secret Service, go into CYA mode and try to pin blame elsewhere," said Congressman Jeff Duncan. "We cannot rely just on Congressional Oversight hearings or even Agency Inspector Generals to get the answers that Congress and the American people deserve about the failures to protect President Trump adequately."

The first question Americans deserve an answer to is how a rooftop with line-of-sight to the stage and podium was left un-patrolled or un-covered by kinetic surveillance. I have been to countless political events with Presidents or candidates, and protocol is to ensure ALL windows, balconies, parking garages, and roofs with line of sight to the stage are covered and cleared. Why was this area of opportunity not covered?

"There will be statements like 'resource inadequacy' or 'manpower shortages.' That is when you coordinate with local and state Law Enforcement to cover these areas. I refuse to accept these types of blame-shifting responses from the Secret Service. An American died, and others were injured yesterday because you allowed a shooter to access an unsecured rooftop perch a mere 140+/- yards from the stage. The bottom line is that the security perimeter was inadequate, as security coverage should be beyond 500 yards or more."

"Today, I spoke directly to Speaker Johnson, Chairman Green, and my House Republican colleagues on the immediate need for an Independent Commission to be appointed by both House and Senate Leadership to give a non-partisan examination into the how and why aspects of this security posture. This would be like the Warren Commission that was appointed after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Additionally, the Independent Commission will address the failures of both Federal and State Law Enforcement apparatuses at this event that, absent a miracle from God, could have resulted in a much more tragic outcome."

"The American people deserve answers from an Independent Commission."

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