MILWAUKEE – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) sent a letter today with his fellow Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans requesting Chair Dick Durbin (D-IL) hold a hearing on the circumstances that led to the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump and the murder and injury of other attendees in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, July 13:

They wrote: “In light of the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump and the murder and injury of other attendees at a peaceful political event, we urgently request that you hold a hearing into the circumstances that led to this tragedy.”

“We further request that you invite Director Kimberly Cheatle of the United States Secret Service, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of the Department of Homeland Security, and Director Christopher Wray of the Federal Bureau of Investigation as witnesses.”

“We are grateful for the bravery and selflessness of the Secret Service agents and other law enforcement officers on the scene, but we must get to the bottom of how the would-be assassin was able to access a nearby rooftop with a rifle and a line of sight to President Trump.”

The full text of this letter is here and below. The letter was led by Ranking Member Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and it was also signed by Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Tom Cotton (R-AR), John Kennedy (R-LA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).

July 15, 2024

The Honorable Dick Durbin

Chair

Senate Judiciary Committee

224 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Chair Durbin,

In light of the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump and the murder and injury of other attendees at a peaceful political event, we urgently request that you hold a hearing into the circumstances that led to this tragedy. We further request that you invite Director Kimberly Cheatle of the United States Secret Service, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of the Department of Homeland Security, and Director Christopher Wray of the Federal Bureau of Investigation as witnesses.

There is much unknown about this attempted assassination, but its occurrence raises alarming questions and concerns. We are grateful for the bravery and selflessness of the Secret Service agents and other law enforcement officers on the scene, but we must get to the bottom of how the would-be assassin was able to access a nearby rooftop with a rifle and a line of sight to President Trump.

The Senate Committee on the Judiciary has an obligation to exercise its jurisdiction and oversight authority over the United States Secret Service, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to shed light on this grave matter. The Committee must fulfill its responsibility to investigate this thoroughly and publicly to understand how this happened and how it can be prevented in the future. The sanctity of our elections, the safety of our candidates, and the peaceful transition of power in our Republic demand nothing less.

Our hearts are broken, and our prayers are with those murdered and injured by this senseless violence. Chair Durbin, we hope to work with you to investigate this matter publicly, and to bring answers and confidence in our system to the American people.

Sincerely,

/s/

Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.

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