Thune Calls for National Unity, Stresses Urgent Need for Reforms at Secret Service

"[I]f there's one thing we can take from the events of July 13 - other than the immediate practical need of addressing security failures - it is a renewed determination to live our lives in such a way that we too, at the time of our testing, would be among those whose response was to help and protect their fellow man."

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WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke on the Senate floor about the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump and the need for Americans to embrace the values that unite us. Thune noted that it was appropriate for the Secret Service director to resign, but that serious reforms and accountability are still necessary to ensure the agency fulfills its mission going forward.

Thune's remarks below (as prepared for delivery):

"Mr. President, the attempted assassination of President Trump 11 days ago at a peaceful rally in Pennsylvania shook the nation.

"And I am very thankful that he was not seriously harmed.

"And I am grateful also for the law enforcement personnel who rushed in to cover the president when the shooting started.

"But as every American knows by now, the events of July 13 should never have happened.

"There was not just one but a number of apparent security breakdowns, notably a failure to secure the roof before the rally.

"And while we are grateful for the fact that President Trump was not killed, these security failures resulted in the death of one innocent American, and serious injury to two others.

"And it is appropriate that the Secret Service director resigned yesterday in the wake of this tragedy.

"But there is more work to be done.

"Multiple investigations are currently being conducted, several of them here in Congress, to identify everything that went wrong that Saturday and explore ways to ensure that it never happens again.

"And among other things, we obviously need to take a hard look at what needs to be done at the Secret Service.

"I have no doubt that there are many dedicated agents serving there, including those who heroically dived to cover President Trump when the shooting started, but the fact is that the Secret Service has been beset by problems for a number of years now, including staffing issues and a number of previous security failures.

"And it's time to fix these problems once and for all and ensure that the Secret Service is fully prepared to fulfill its mission.

"We also need a new Secret Service director committed to making reform of the agency a priority.

"Mr. President, events like the ones of July 13 always horrify because they demonstrate the worst of which human beings are capable.

"But they also often give us a glimpse of the very best.

"And that was certainly true in Pennsylvania.

"There was Corey Comperatore, the volunteer firefighter who died protecting his family.

"The emergency room physician and others who attempted to render medical assistance.

"The everyday Americans who stepped in to help their fellow rallygoers.

"And if there's one thing we can take from the events of July 13 - other than the immediate practical need of addressing security failures - it is a renewed determination to live our lives in such a way that we too, at the time of our testing, would be among those whose response was to help and protect their fellow man.

"Mr. President, soon after surviving the attempt on his life, President Trump said, 'In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans ...'

"That's a call that we should all heed.

"That doesn't mean, of course, that our disagreements suddenly disappear, but it does mean that we recognize and remember that most Americans, regardless of where they land politically, want what's best for our country's future.

"And I hope that out of this tragedy can come a renewed sense of what unites us.

"Amid the outpouring of shock and concern after the attempted assassination, there were those who actually made remarks lamenting that President Trump wasn't killed.

"And it is disturbing that our discourse - and our regard for the value of human life - has deteriorated to such an extent that there would actually be people wishing bodily harm on a political candidate simply because they don't like his politics.

"And in the midst of our real and valid disagreements, I hope we can remember the people beneath the politics and emerge with a greater respect for our fellow Americans.

"Mr. President, my thoughts and prayers continue to be with those injured on July 13, and with the families of the injured and deceased.

"And I pray that the events in Butler, Pennsylvania, will never be repeated.

"Mr. President, I yield the floor."

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