Duval Times

On July 18, 2024, Senator Rick Scott issued a letter to President Joe Biden, demanding transparency and accountability in the ongoing investigation into the assassination attempt on former President Donald J. Trump. The incident also resulted in the death of Corey Comperatore and injuries to others during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Senator Scott's letter follows a briefing with the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He has called for daily public press conferences from FBI Director Christopher Wray, USSS Director Kimberly Cheatle, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to provide updates on the investigation.

In his letter, Senator Scott emphasized the need for transparency: "I write today to urge you and your administration to take every action necessary to share updates with President Trump, Congress and the American people."

Scott praised the actions of law enforcement but criticized leadership failures: "It is now clear to every American that there were gross failures in leadership of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other federal law enforcement agencies."

He urged immediate Senate hearings on this matter: "Just hours after the shooting, I called on Chairman Gary Peters to immediately hold a U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC) hearing before August 1st."

The letter includes specific questions directed at President Biden regarding regular updates provided to Trump, disciplinary actions taken against government employees involved in security lapses, and whether key officials have been instructed to hold daily press briefings.

Senator Scott also posed detailed questions for USSS Director Kimberly Cheatle about security protocols during Trump's rally: "Please detail the protocol for stationing USSS personnel... What transpired from the time that a shooter was identified... Was there a standing shoot-to-kill or shoot-to-wound/maim order given?"

Scott concluded by stressing the importance of transparency: "I expect to receive an immediate response with answers to these questions... maximum transparency and accountability are absolutely critical."