Members of a bipartisan congressional task force, including Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly of Butler and Democratic Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado, visited the Butler Farm Show grounds in Butler County on Monday to assess the scene of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

On July 13, a gunman opened fire during Trump's rally on the farm show grounds in Butler Township, resulting in injuries to Trump, David Dutch, and Jim Copenhaver, and the tragic death of Corey Comperatore. This event prompted a thorough investigation by the task force into the security failures that allowed the gunman, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, to shoot at the former president.

During their visit, task force members had the opportunity to explore the venue and its surrounding areas, providing them with valuable insights into the physical space where the security shortcomings occurred. One particularly poignant moment was when members stood on the roof of the AGR building, the exact location from which Crooks fired eight shots.

According to Republican U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee of Florida, who emphasized the importance of on-site investigation, this firsthand experience allows the task force to better understand the context and shortcomings that led to the security breach. The fact that law enforcement had spotted the gunman on the roof raises questions as to why Trump was allowed to take the stage.

However, concerns have been raised regarding the access to necessary documentation. Reporters inquired about whether the task force had received all requested documents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, United States Secret Service, and the FBI, to which the members responded that they have not yet obtained all the information they requested.

In light of the incident, the United States Secret Service initiated an investigation and subsequently placed five individuals on leave. This includes the special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh field office, three officials from the Pittsburgh office, and one agent within Trump's detail. The Secret Service spokesperson affirmed that they are thoroughly examining the processes, procedures, and factors that led to the operational failure, and any substantiated policy violations will be appropriately investigated.

Most recently, Republican Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana filed a report on August 12 which details the immediate aftermath of the shooting, specifically outlining the events that occurred after Crooks fired shots that grazed Trump's ear.

This ongoing investigation by the congressional task force is crucial in understanding the security lapses that transpired during Trump's rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds. The aim is to identify the failures and implement necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.