Trump Butler Assassination Attempt Deemed Preventable

WASHINGTON, D.C. ? The assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump in Butler was preventable, a bipartisan House committee investigating the July shooting concluded in an interim report released Monday.

In the 53-page document, the committee stated "the evidence obtained by the Task Force to date shows that the tragic and shocking events of July 13 were preventable and should not have occurred."

While noting that its findings are preliminary, the task force noted that the investigation "clearly shows a lack of planning and coordination between the Secret Service and its law enforcement partners before the rally."

The House probe is one of several being conducted by lawmakers, federal and law enforcement agencies looking into the assassination attempt in which Trump's ear was grazed by a bullet. A spectator at the rally, former fire chief Corey Comperatore, was killed and two other attendees were seriously wounded.

A Secret Service sniper shot and killed the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, who opened fire from a nearby rooftop.

Monday's report focused on "the fragmented lines of communication and unclear chains of command" between the Secret Service and state and local law enforcement officials. But the Secret Service received the brunt of the blame for the stunning security lapses.

The House panel plans to issue a final report and offer recommendations to prevent future assassination attempts against political candidates in December.

The task force also is investigating the second assassination attempt on Trump last month where a man with a rifle was apprehended outside one of his golf courses in Florida.