Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., has recently hinted that the upcoming interim report on the assassination attempt against former President Trump will leave Americans “shocked” and “appalled.” According to Blumenthal, the report will expose significant security lapses and failures by those tasked with protecting the former president.
During a private session on Thursday, Acting U.S. Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe provided an update to senators regarding the investigation into the failed assassination attempt. Although specific details from the meeting were not disclosed, Blumenthal emphasized the gravity of the findings. He criticized both the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security for their lack of transparency and failure to provide timely, candid information about the incident.
Blumenthal’s remarks came as part of a broader discussion on the investigation’s progress. While he was unable to share detailed insights from Thursday’s meeting, he stressed that the American public should prepare for troubling revelations regarding the security breakdowns that allowed the July 13 shooting incident to occur at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., confirmed that the interim report will be released soon but noted that it will only cover preliminary findings. Peters indicated that a more comprehensive report will follow, once additional information is gathered. He reassured the public that the goal is to identify not only what went wrong but also how to prevent such failures in the future.
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., highlighted the importance of ensuring that the report is produced in a bipartisan manner. Johnson acknowledged some frustration with the pace of information sharing but assured that lawmakers are committed to delivering a report that reflects a collaborative effort. He also indicated that efforts are underway to finalize the preliminary report before the current work period concludes.
The Secret Service faces increasing scrutiny over the events leading up to the assassination attempt, particularly regarding the planning and execution of security measures. Assistant Director Michael Plati, who was responsible for the protection of key figures including Trump, is retiring from the agency after 27 years. While the Secret Service has stated that Plati’s retirement was not mandated, sources suggest that he was encouraged to step down early in light of the ongoing investigation.