On October 22, a bipartisan special task force in the U.S. House of Representatives released a mid-term investigation report concerning the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on July 13. The report highlighted that the incident “could have been avoided” and identified significant flaws in communication and planning between federal and local law enforcement agencies.

According to CBS News, the 53-page report stated that the attack on Trump in July “should not have happened.” It emphasized the lack of coordination and effective planning between the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement prior to the rally.

The report detailed the events of July 13, when Trump was speaking at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania and gunfire erupted. Footage revealed blood on Trump’s right ear after he was shot. A 20-year-old man named Crooks fired several shots from a rooftop approximately 140 meters from the stage, injuring Trump and resulting in one death and two injuries among the attendees.

On July 29, the House of Representatives released the names of the 13 members of the special task force, which comprises seven Republican and six Democratic members. The report criticized the absence of a joint meeting among law enforcement agencies on the day of the rally, pointing out that the Secret Service did not effectively verify role assignments and failed to establish a unified command post. This oversight allowed Crooks to access a nearby building and carry out the shooting.

The report noted that miscommunication among the parties involved enabled the shooter to evade police and ascend to the rooftop, where he fired eight shots. It also outlined how areas beyond the established security perimeter were perceived as risky. Despite being close to the road and visible from the stage, crowds near the building were not subjected to safety checks by the Secret Service or other law enforcement agencies.

The special task force is set to submit a final report on December 13, which will include recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.