Speaker Johnson: Secret Service Still Not Doing Enough

(AP)

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said the Secret Service’s decision to place at least five agents on administrative leave as a result of the internal investigation into the security failures that led to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump last month is the agency’s “first step toward accountability.”

“On July 13th, a heroic father, Corey Comperatore, was shot and killed at the Butler, PA rally – and President Donald Trump was shot in the head – just a millimeter away from being murdered too,” Johnson said in a statement on X on Friday. “This was a complete failure by the Secret Service. Today’s decision to place multiple agents on leave is the agency’s first step toward accountability, but it comes 41 days after the attempt on President Trump’s life – and it’s nowhere near enough.

“Since the Secret Service refuses to recognize reality and will not be transparent, the House’s Bipartisan Task Force will continue to aggressively and thoroughly investigate the shocking security failures, get answers, and bring accountability,” he continued. “The liberal media is working to erase history, and big tech is trying to censor and shadow ban those who seek information online, but the American people will NOT forget about this tragic day – and neither will the House.”

RealClearPolitics reported that the suspended agents are from the Secret Service’s Pittsburgh Field Office. Other agents who were also involved in developing the Butler security plan remain on the job, according to the outlet.

While employees on administrative leave typically still receive pay and benefits, the decision is left to the discretion of the agency’s leadership.

According to CBS News, the head of the Pittsburgh office is among those placed on administrative leave.

The agency’s internal affairs division is continuing to investigate how 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks was able to access a rooftop close to where Trump was speaking and fire eight shots, including one that grazed the Republican presidential nominee’s right ear, before being killed by law enforcement.