Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) on Tuesday slammed the Biden-Harris administration for effectively "stonewalling" congressional efforts to investigate the assassination attempts on Republican nominee Donald Trump.
"I’m reaching the point of total outrage, because the response from the Department of Homeland Security has been totally lacking. In fact, I think it’s tantamount to stonewalling in many respects," said Blumenthal, chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations within the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
The committee, investigating both the assassination attempts in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Sunday and at a Pennsylvania rally on July 13, plans to release an interim report by the end of the month, according to its chairman Sen. Gary Peters (D., Mich.).
"[The DHS is], in effect, saying no to the request for information from a legitimate inquiry that is really important to their service to the American people," Blumenthal said, urging the department to be more "forthcoming."
"I’m ready, willing, and able to use the subpoena process, if necessary, to get information from the Department of Homeland Security," Blumenthal continued. "And we have told them repeatedly about our frustration. I’m deeply dissatisfied and disappointed."
The DHS denied Blumenthal’s accusation that it is not cooperating with investigators. "Claims that the Department and Secret Service are not cooperating are false and fail to recognize the robust response and ongoing work to meet Congress’ oversight requests, and our clear commitment to accountability for the events of July 13," the department said in a statement to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R., Wis.), ranking member of the investigations subcommittee, backed Blumenthal's characterization, saying that the DHS is "holding all their cards close to the vest" while driving "suspicion" and "conspiracy theories."