Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said he’s “ready, willing and able” to subpoena the Department of Homeland Security if it fails to provide more information about the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Blumenthal is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Investigations which has been looking into the first attempt on Trump’s life in Pennsylvania.
“I think it’s tantamount to stonewalling in many respects,” Blumenthal said. “The Department of Homeland Security has to be more forthcoming, not only to me, but to the American people. And it has to do it quickly or it will fuel the conspiracy theories that are so dangerous to our democracy as well as undermining its own credibility.”
Blumenthal wants the information from DHS because it oversees the Secret Service. The senator said the agency is failing to provide documents, witnesses and other evidence.
“We have told them repeatedly about our frustration. I’m deeply dissatisfied and disappointed,” Blumenthal said. “I am reaching the point of total outrage.”
Blumenthal previously said a report summarizing the findings of Congress will be issued very soon. He believes Americans will be shocked and appalled by the lapses and failures in Pennsylvania.
The acting director of the Secret Service recently told Congress the budget is strained and they need more personnel. Meanwhile, President Biden said the Secret Service needs more help and former President Trump said they need more people on his detail.
Lawmakers are considering extra funding for the agency as they work to avoid a government shutdown. But many lawmakers think the agency is doing a poor job of using the resources it already has.
“We need answers more than the Secret Service needs money,” Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said.
“Are they too overworked? Do they have too many things to deal with given the workforce they have? Should they have more agents? The answer is yes,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said.
“The Secret Service has a management issue in the use of its money and manpower. Until it does better in accountability and management, it will continue to be short on resources,” Blumenthal said.
Congress gave the Secret Service $3.1 billion for the current fiscal year. Senate leadership said if the service requests more for next year, they will provide it.