Top Senate Democrat ‘Angry’ Over Biden-Harris Administration’s ‘Stonewalling’ in Trump Assassination Investigation

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., a leading Senate Democrat, has sharply criticised the Biden-Harris administration for “stonewalling” requests for information related to recent assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump and potential lapses within the U.S. Secret Service.

Sen. Blumenthal, left, slammed DHS for stonewalling Congress’ requests for information. (Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Kevin Dietsch/Andrew Harnik)

Blumenthal, who chairs the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) within the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), accused the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of being “almost derelict in its duty” by resisting document and evidence requests essential for the investigation.

Blumenthal expressed his frustration and anger at DHS’s lack of cooperation and hinted that subpoenas might be necessary to enforce compliance. “We may need to require more cooperation from them. And we have the power to do so through the compulsory process—in other words, the subpoena power,” he told reporters.

Sen. Ron Johnson questions Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. and FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the attempted assassination of former U.S. President Trump on Capitol Hill on July 30, 2024. (Umit Bektas/Reuters)

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., the PSI ranking member, echoed Blumenthal’s concerns, accusing DHS of withholding information and exacerbating suspicions and conspiracy theories.

Johnson also criticised DHS’s response to a recent letter, describing it as “disrespectful” and suggesting it has further fuelled frustration among committee members, including HSGAC Chairman Gary Peters, D-Mich.

A DHS spokesperson responded that the agency is committed to cooperating with investigations. “Since July 13, the Department and the U.S. Secret Service have provided the Senate with multiple briefings, nearly 2,500 pages of documents, and more than 50 hours of transcribed interviews,” the spokesperson said.

“It has done so while cooperating with investigations by the House Special Task Force, the Independent Review Panel directed by the President, the DHS OIG, and the Government Accountability Office.

Acting Director Ronald Rowe Jr. of the U.S. Secret Service addresses the media at a press conference on the assassination attempt of former president Trump, West Palm Beach, Florida, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (Mega for Fox News Digital)

Claims that the Department and Secret Service are not cooperating are false and fail to recognise the robust response and ongoing work to meet Congress’ oversight requests and our clear commitment to accountability for the events of July 13th.”

The Secret Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment from ‘Fox News Digital’.

The latest criticism comes in the wake of a recent incident at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where Secret Service agents opened fire after observing a suspect raising a weapon. The suspect, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, fled the scene in a black Nissan SUV but was later apprehended by authorities.

Trump plays golf at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, Dec. 30, 2020. (Reuters/Marco Bello)

Routh allegedly had pushed the muzzle of an SKS rifle through a chain-link fence while Trump was on the golf course.

The HSGAC and PSI have been investigating a previous assassination attempt on Trump that occurred on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Their recent briefing with Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe reportedly left them frustrated and disappointed, revealing significant failures in the agency’s handling of the situation.

Sola Adeniji

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