GOP Rep. accuses Mayorkas of denying Trump extra protection
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The House Homeland Security Committee plans to investigate reports that Trump was denied stronger Secret Service protection before the rally, a source told Fox News Digital.
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Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is helped off the stage by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., on Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP)
Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) on Sunday raised allegations against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, claiming that he repeatedly denied requests for stronger Secret Service protection for former President Trump, Fox News reports. This accusation came shortly after Trump was grazed by a bullet at a Pennsylvania rally.
"I have very reliable sources telling me there have been repeated requests for stronger secret service protection for President Trump. Denied by Secretary Mayorkas," Waltz wrote on X.
I have very reliable sources telling me there have been repeated requests for stronger secret service protection for President Trump.
— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) July 14, 2024
Denied by Secretary Mayorkas. https://t.co/RazOVcJgCk
The House Homeland Security Committee plans to investigate reports that Trump was denied stronger Secret Service protection before the rally, a source told Fox News Digital.
"The Committee has seen these reports, as well, and are going to be conducting thorough oversight into what happened both leading up to and in the immediate aftermath of the attempted assassination of President Trump. Obviously, such reports are deeply troubling and demand investigation," the source said.
According to a Secret Service statement, one rally attendee was killed and two others were injured after a shooter opened fire at the former president's campaign rally. The shooter was also killed.
Rep. Waltz, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, declined to elaborate on his comments when contacted by Fox News Digital. The Department of Homeland Security was also contacted for comment.
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In addition, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has publicly called on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheadle to testify before his panel.
"The Oversight Committee will send a formal invitation soon," he wrote on X.
"Theres an untrue assertion that a member of the former President’s team requested additional security resources & that those were rebuffed. This is absolutely false. In fact, we added protective resources & technology & capabilities as part of the increased campaign travel tempo," US Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi posted on X.
Hours after the shooting, Trump released a statement thanking law enforcement and offering condolences for the person who died.
"I want to thank The US Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured," Trump wrote.
"It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening."
