McCaul Questions Local Pennsylvania Law Enforcement on Security Failures at Trump Rally
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) —chairman emeritus of the House Homeland Security Committee — questioned Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police Colonel Christopher L. Paris during the Homeland Security Committee hearing to investigate the attempted assassination of President Trump.
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Click here to watch. Excerpts from Rep. McCaul’s Questioning: McCaul: Thank you Mr. Chairman. I want to thank you for the site visit we had [in] Butler, Pennsylvania, yesterday. It was very eye-opening and educational. I agree with the ranking member’s comments, in terms of after 9/11, connecting the dots in federal, state, and local [law enforcement] working together was the answer. I led a joint terrorism task force when I worked at the Department of Justice. I was also involved in national security events, so I know how these things operate. […] [During the site visit,] we actually walked onto the roof where the [shooter] was, [who had] a clear, eyes-on, shot of President [Trump]. A tree blocked the Secret Service’s view. This kid did some investigation. He had a drone out there days prior [and] got an aerial surveillance of the premises. And that position was probably the best position outside the perimeter as far as I can tell. There was also a water tower that would have been a perfect spot for Secret Service. Were you aware of any presence of the Secret Service on this water tower? Colonel Paris: I was not. McCaul: You’re aware of what I am talking about? Colonel Paris: I am familiar. I physically flew out there on Saturday the 13th. It was still very much an active crime scene, so I did not walk on the roofs. […] McCaul: The thing I find interesting is that the counter sniper [on] Secret Service, within seconds of the shots on the president, kills the suspect. That tells me [the Secret Service counter-sniper] had him in his sights, and maybe he [was] not aware of who the individual was, he was not identified. But I know within seconds after the shots were fired at the president, the threat was eliminated. And lastly ... He had a detonation device with him, and two of his bombs were located in his car that was parked on the other side of the of the perimeter. Seems to me, a good theory would be that he was going to kill the president and then detonate his car causing a diversion and then escape from the crime scene. Are you aware of any of this? Colonel Paris: I am aware of the presence of the device on his person. ### |