In a scathing criticism, Senator Richard Blumenthal, the chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), has accused the Biden-Harris administration of "stonewalling" and resisting requests for information regarding the assassination attempts on former President Trump and potential failures within the U.S. Secret Service. Blumenthal, a top Senate Democrat from Connecticut, expressed his disappointment and anger towards the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for not being forthcoming with necessary documents and evidence needed for the investigation.

Blumenthal's frustration with DHS's lack of transparency in the investigation was echoed by Senator Ron Johnson, the ranking member of PSI. Johnson claimed that DHS was "holding all their cards close to the vest" and their withholding of information was fueling suspicion and conspiracy theories.

Given their mounting frustration, Blumenthal hinted at the possibility of issuing subpoenas in the future to compel DHS's cooperation. He stated that they have the power to enforce cooperation through the compulsory process, utilizing subpoena power if necessary.

Senator Gary Peters, the Democratic counterpart to Johnson on PSI, has also expressed his dissatisfaction with DHS's response. Peters was particularly upset by a disrespectful response received after he and three other offices sent a letter addressing the issue to the Secret Service and DHS. This incident seemed to have further fueled the frustrations within PSI and HSGAC, leading to the strong reactions heard recently.

In response to the criticism, a spokesperson from DHS maintained the agency's commitment to working in good faith and cooperating with relevant investigations. The spokesperson highlighted that since July 13, the department and the U.S. Secret Service have provided multiple briefings, furnished thousands of pages of documents, and conducted over 50 hours of transcribed interviews regarding the incidents. The spokesperson also emphasized that the department has been cooperating with other investigations, including those initiated by the House Special Task Force, the Independent Review Panel, the DHS Office of the Inspector General, and the Government Accountability Office. The spokesperson dismissed claims of non-cooperation as false, asserting the agency's dedication to accountability in relation to the events of July 13.

The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) and the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) had been actively investigating the first assassination attempt that occurred in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. Most recently, the committee received a frustrating and disappointing briefing from Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe. The revealed failures during this briefing further intensified their concerns.

As the investigation into these assassination attempts continues, it remains to be seen whether the Biden-Harris administration will increase their levels of cooperation with the Senate committees. The persisting questions around potential failures within the Secret Service and the need for greater transparency demand answers, not only to ensure accountability but also to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.