A bipartisan task force investigating the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump has uncovered significant communication deficiencies that took place during the incident in July. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Pennsylvania Democrat and member of the task force, highlighted the "enormous gaps" in communication, emphasizing issues such as people texting information instead of using radio, a lack of awareness regarding multiple command centers, and a general laxity in communication practices among personnel involved.

The task force, consisting of seven Republicans and six Democrats, aims to thoroughly investigate the events of the July 13 shooting and prevent similar occurrences in the future. Task force member Houlahan stressed the importance of swift, bipartisan action to understand what transpired, restore trust in institutions such as law enforcement and Congress, and ensure the security lapses are rectified. The panel is on track to deliver its final report on the assassination attempt by December 13, following a closed-door briefing on a subsequent incident at Trump International Golf Course in Florida.

In the aftermath of the assassination attempt, multiple investigations are underway to scrutinize different aspects of the incident. The FBI is conducting a criminal inquiry into the gunman's motive, while the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security's internal watchdog are examining security failures. The Secret Service has acknowledged its own deficiencies in a forthcoming report, citing communication breakdowns with local law enforcement during the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where the assassination attempt occurred. Houlahan expressed confidence in the Secret Service's commitment to addressing these shortcomings and highlighted Congress's role in providing necessary resources for implementing security reforms.