Despite their experience in the military as snipers and counter-snipers, Representatives Cory Mills (R-FL) and Eli Crane (R-AZ) are not on the task force investigating the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. As a result, the two have conducted their own independent investigation, with Rep. Mills discussing development in a recent appearance on Fox Business's Mornings with Maria, expressing his fear that "we are going to reach a point very soon... that it is going to be indistinguishable between what is gross negligence and what is purposeful intent."
A recent poll by AP-NORC suggested that 43% of Americans believe the Secret Service bears responsibility for the attempt on Trump's life, a belief that only worsened with Friday's press conference by Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe, which Senate Republicans condemned as lacking transparency and "a cover-up."
Rep. Mills reflected this attitude, saying, "The fear that I have now is that we are going to get to a point very soon in my investigation with Congressman Eli Crane, Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Chip Roy (R-TX) and others is that it is going to be indistinguishable between what is gross negligence and what is purposeful intent."
The Florida Congressman pointed out numerous security failures by the Secret Service and their collaboration with local law enforcement, such as the lack of communication, the multiple sightings of shooter Thomas Crooks before he opened fire, and the denial of drone surveillance.
"I am going to continue my independent investigation. It is my understanding that the task force has not even had a conference call or a meeting, so I am not sure what they are doing at this time. But I can tell you that we are going to get transparency and accountability because people need to ensure the safety of our nominee and our future president, as well as other elected officials, to guarantee this does not happen again," Mills concluded.
Four days after the shooting at the Republican National Convention, Mills spoke with CNN's Kate Bouldan about the possibility of intent by the Secret Service to let crooks shoot at Trump. However, he did not endorse the theory, stating his purpose to ensure complete transparency.
"I think if we let the American people know that we are questioning these things as well, it puts them at rest or at least know, 'why aren't they at least looking into this one?' We should look at every single situation which is this significant. We should look at it from multiple angles to ensure that nothing is left out [and] nothing could be potentially be claimed as being covered up, and we need to have more transparency to the American people. And I think that is what everyone deserves," Mills previously said.
