Quick Hit: 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under impeached Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, is reportedly obstructing the House of Representatives' investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

Key Details:

• Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas) alleges DHS is hindering communication between the Secret Service and the House Oversight Committee.
• House Oversight Committee, led by Rep. James Comer (R-KY), is issuing subpoenas to ensure cooperation from the Secret Service.
• DHS Secretary Mayorkas has been criticized for his management and policies, leading to his impeachment by the House in February 2024.

Diving Deeper:

The Department of Homeland Security, under the leadership of the impeached Alejandro Mayorkas, is reportedly interfering with the House of Representatives' investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas) disclosed the allegations during an interview at the GOP’s national convention, highlighting significant concerns about the department's transparency.

Cloud expressed frustration with the DHS's actions, stating, “It is very concerning that right off the bat, we see DHS obfuscating as opposed to being transparent. This should be something that, regardless of party, we don’t allow this kind of thing in our country.”

The Secret Service, a key agency within DHS, is at the center of the controversy. Headed by Kimberly Cheatle, a sociology graduate, the Secret Service has faced scrutiny over its failure to prevent the assassination attempt. Cheatle, appointed by President Joe Biden in August 2024, has been defended by Mayorkas despite the agency's shortcomings.

Rep. Cloud, a member of the House Oversight Committee chaired by Rep. James Comer (R-KY), revealed that DHS has obstructed scheduled briefings intended to update the committee on the investigation’s progress. “We were scheduled for a first briefing today, just on the facts of the case, what’s going on, what they know now, and DHS has stepped in between the communications now of the Secret Service and the Oversight Committee, and are now trying to control the communication between the two committees,” Cloud stated.

In response to these obstructions, Chairman Comer is issuing subpoenas to compel the Secret Service director to testify. A hearing is scheduled for next Monday to ensure the investigation moves forward. Cloud criticized the administration's approach, stating, “We’ve seen this administration target political opponents before, and then now fail epically in protecting a former president — and we will say, future — President of the United States. And so this is extremely concerning.”

Cloud called for accountability, suggesting that the honorable course of action for Cheatle would be to resign. He emphasized the importance of preventing such failures in the future, “The job description is to make sure that this never happens, period. We got to take the ‘again’ out of that.”

Despite these criticisms, Mayorkas reaffirmed his support for Cheatle following her admission that Secret Service agents were not posted on the roof from which the sniper almost killed Trump. Cheatle cited safety concerns as the reason for this decision, explaining that the building's sloped roof posed a risk.

When asked about potential job losses over the incident, Mayorkas expressed unwavering confidence in Cheatle, describing her as a “dedicated, career-long law enforcement officer.”

The investigation continues as the House Oversight Committee seeks transparency and accountability in the wake of the attempted assassination. The outcome of this probe could have significant implications for the DHS and its leadership.