Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) discussed the murder attempt on former President Trump with Breitbart News, stating that the FBI and the Secret Service “owe the American public answers” about what transpired at the Trump rally.
Blackburn discussed how senators had a conversation with FBI Director Christopher Wray and Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, as well as how many questions remained about how 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks managed to gain access to a nearby roof where he had a clear view of Trump.
“I find it very abhorrent that there was an attempt on someone’s life, and that the directors of the FBI and Secret Service have just called senators. How they could lose track of someone carrying a rangefinder and a rucksack is still a mystery to us, Blackburn added. How could they have forgotten who this individual was? How come they’re still clueless about how he ascended the roof?
In addition, Blackburn said that the public is curious as to “why” it took the Secret Service “two days to start” disclosing any information.
“People are looking for answers on this,” Blackburn went on. People find this upsetting. It was also necessary to force the director of the Secret Service to respond on Saturday night rather than holding off for a day, two, or three days.
The senator from Tennessee continued, saying that the heads of the FBI and Secret Service “owe not just senators,” but also the “American people answers on this.”
“We are thankful and believe that God’s hand preserved Donald Trump from the assassination attempt on Saturday, and we demand answers,” Blackburn continued. “The people of America demand an explanation.”
Although Blackburn refrained from disclosing the specifics of the conversation, she expressed her dismay in a post on X, stating that she was “appalled to find that the Secret Service” was aware of a “threat prior” to Trump taking the platform at his rally.
Blackburn added, “I think it is best for our country if Director Cheatle steps down from her post because I have no faith in her leadership.”
Numerous law enforcement officials allegedly spotted Crooks that day and identified him as a security concern, among other security lapses, as Breitbart News has documented. According to reports, two Butler Township police officers pursued Crooks up a ladder but turned back when they saw he was armed.
There have also been reports of law enforcement personnel and protest attendees warning about Crooks. According to reports, one officer “sent warnings to command” after observing Crooks use a range finder to determine the separation between Trump’s location and the location from which he would be speaking.
In an interview with ABC, Cheatle clarified that the building had “a slanted roof” and a “safety factor,” which was why there hadn’t been any Secret Service personnel on the roof that Crooks had been on.
