gotchanewsdaily.com 
Speaker Mike Johnson wasted no time last month in setting up a bipartisan task force to investigate the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. But on Monday, a group of House conservatives signaled they have their own plans.
Johnson, along with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, appointed members to the task force aimed at uncovering the failures that led to the shooting and preventing such incidents in the future. The panel, which was unanimously approved by the House, has subpoena power and was intended to centralize investigations related to the attack. However, some conservatives are not satisfied with the pace or the membership of the task force and have decided to pursue their own inquiry.
Despite Johnson’s efforts to include “serious” Republicans on the panel, some right-wing lawmakers are pushing back. They held an event at The Heritage Foundation, emphasizing their dissatisfaction and commitment to conducting their own probe into the incident. This group, lacking subpoena power, will rely on public information and whistleblowers to fuel their investigation.
At the same time, members of the official bipartisan task force were in Butler, Pennsylvania, visiting the site of Trump’s July 13 rally where the assassination attempt occurred. They met with local law enforcement and provided updates to the press, reinforcing their position as the primary body overseeing the investigation.
The conservative faction’s push for a separate investigation underscores ongoing tensions within the GOP, particularly among those who feel sidelined by leadership. Representatives Matt Gaetz, Cory Mills, and Eli Crane are among those leading the charge, frustrated by Johnson’s decision to exclude them from the official panel.
Rep. Jason Crow, the top Democrat on the task force, reiterated that their committee is the sole body authorized to investigate the assassination attempt. He emphasized the importance of a thorough and methodical approach, contrasting with the GOP group’s demands for swift action.
The bipartisan task force has until mid-December to release its findings, which could include legislative recommendations. Meanwhile, the GOP-only group is pressing forward, albeit with limited resources and authority.
As the two groups delve into overlapping concerns—such as the adequacy of security at the rally and the decisions made by law enforcement—their approaches and conclusions could differ significantly. The bipartisan panel, led by Rep. Mike Kelly, remains focused on accuracy and careful deliberation, while the conservative faction is eager to speed up the process and hold those responsible to account.
Rep. Kelly stressed the need for patience, telling reporters that “getting to the truth is a slow process,” and the goal is to deliver a report that the American public can trust. However, members of the GOP group warned that delays could erode public confidence in the investigation.
As the investigations continue, the rift within the Republican Party over how best to handle the fallout from the assassination attempt on Trump is becoming increasingly apparent. The outcome of these probes could have lasting implications for the party’s unity and the public’s trust in its ability to govern.
