House lawmakers are pressing Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to give them answers on security lapses that allowed a would-be-assassin to shoot former President Donald Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green (R-TN) sent a letter to Mayorkas on Sunday asking him to explain how 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks was able to gain access to a rooftop and take several shots at Trump. The attack injured the former president and two other rally attendees, and left 50-year-old Corey Comperatore dead.  “The seriousness of this security failure and chilling moment in our nation’s history cannot be understated,” Green wrote. “No assassination attempt has come so close to taking the life of a president or presidential candidate since President Reagan was shot in 1981. Had the bullet’s trajectory been slightly different, the assassination attempt on President Trump might have succeeded.” During the attack, a bullet grazed Trump, taking out a portion of his ear and bloodying his face. After hearing gunfire, Trump dropped to the ground and was covered by Secret Service agents.  Green said the fact that the gunman was able to get on a rooftop and get clear shots off at Trump showed a major security lapse.  “This raises serious concerns regarding how a shooter was able to access a rooftop within range and direct line of sight of where President Trump was speaking,” Green said. “Additionally, some reporting, suggests that the Department of Homeland Security (Department) ‘rebuffed’ multiple requests from President Trump’s security detail to increase protective resources in the weeks preceding this event.” In light of that information, Green is asking Mayorkas to provide documentation showing Secret Service plans to secure the venue prior to the rally and information on protocol about dealing with a potential assassin. He also requested information on whether Trump was denied additional security before the attack.  Green additionally asked Homeland Security to provide a briefing about the assassination attempt by July 22.   During a White House briefing on Monday, Mayorkas said that he was thankful for the quick response of the Secret Service to the attack. He said that the attack was “unacceptable” and that securing the safety of Trump and President Joe Biden was one of the agency’s most vital priorities.  Other House Republicans are seeking to question Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle over the assassination attempt. Rep. James Comer (R-KY) announced Monday that Cheatle would be testifying in public before the House Oversight Committee.

Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been granted Secret Service protection following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, the Biden administration announced on Monday. “In light of this weekend’s events, the president has directed me to work with the Secret Service to provide protection to Robert Kennedy Jr.,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said during a White House press briefing. .@SecMayorkas: "In light of this weekend's events, the president has directed me to work with the Secret Service to provide protection to Robert Kennedy, Jr." pic.twitter.com/i2IjKcPTwk — CSPAN (@cspan) July 15, 2024 “Thank you to President Biden for granting me Secret Service protection,” RFK Jr. said in a post to X not long afterwards. “And I am so grateful to Gavin deBecker & Associates for keeping me safe for the last 15 months of my Presidential campaign.” Kennedy, whose father U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and uncle President John F. Kennedy were both assassinated, had repeatedly been denied Secret Service protection in the preceding months despite polling in the double digits in some polls. The Secret Service declares on its website that “major” presidential candidates and their running mates, as identified by the secretary of the Homeland Security Department with “broad discretion” of multiple factors, are “eligible” for protection from the Secret Service. While Mayorkas previously said Secret Service protection for Kennedy was “not warranted” at the time, Kennedy shot back on social media, saying the decision was “another example of weaponization of government against” President Joe Biden’s “political opponents.” Pressure has been mounting for that to change after a gunman opened fire at Trump’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday — despite Secret Service being on the ground — and a bullet ripped through the former president’s right ear. Earlier in the day on Monday, Trump himself posted to his Truth Social platform about how he believed Kennedy should get Secret Service protection, citing world events and the Kennedy family’s history. “In light of what is going on in the world today, I believe it is imperative that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. receive Secret Service protection — immediately,” Trump said. “Given the history of the Kennedy Family, this is the obvious right thing to do!” With a screenshot of Trump’s message, Kennedy responded with a post to X, saying, “It is a hopeful sign for our country when a political opponent calls for one’s protection. Maybe our country can unite after all.” Kennedy initially ran this cycle as a Democrat but shifted to an independent campaign after criticizing his party for not holding primary debates, among other gripes, as it largely rallied around Biden’s re-election effort. Nicole Shanahan is Kennedy’s running mate.

Rob Reiner got torched for claiming that it’s the “end of the rule of law” after a judge dismissed former President Donald Trump’s classified documents case. On Monday, District Court Judge Aileen Cannon, who was nominated to her position by Trump, said Special Counsel Jack Smith’s appointment as special counsel of the case was unconstitutional, as previously reported. Following the decision, the 77-year-old Hollywood filmmaker and actor took to X and wrote, “With Judge Cannon’s dismissal of the Trump stolen documents case, we’re seeing the beginning of the end of the Rule of Law in America.” With Judge Cannon’s dismissal of the Trump stolen documents case, we’re seeing the beginning of the end of the Rule of Law in America. — Rob Reiner (@robreiner) July 15, 2024 In response, social media followers had a field day reacting to his post.  “No, we saw the end of the rule of law when they raided a former president’s private residence with clearance to use deadly force,” one person wrote. “We saw the rule of law end when Jack Smith admitted in a court filing to tampering with evidence and the FBI admitted to staging a photo opportunity, they then leaked to the press,” the person added. Another person wrote sarcastically, “It is the ‘end of the Rule of Law in America’ if a judge rules in a way Rob Reiner disagrees with.” One follower suggested that the judge’s decision is not an example of the “beginning of the end of The Rule of Law in America” but was instead “The Rule of Law in action in America.” Another person replied to the actor and wrote, “Rob Reiner on how upholding the Constitution is a threat to … the, uh, Constitution.” While a third person wrote sarcastically, “Replace “Rule of Law” with politically motivated lawfare with the intent to bankrupt” and I’m totally with you, Buddy.  So close!! I feel unity in the air.” Following Cannon’s decision, Trump took to Truth Social and declared, “this dismissal of the Lawless Indictment in Florida should be just the first step, followed quickly by the dismissal of ALL the Witch Hunts.” The dismissal comes less than 48 hours after a shooter attempted to assassinate the former president on Saturday during his rally in Pennsylvania. The shooting injured Trump and left one of his supporters dead along with injuring two others. Daniel Chaitin contributed to this piece. Related: Even ‘Meathead’ Rob Reiner Says ‘It’s Time For Joe Biden To Step Down’

Investment giant BlackRock has pulled a controversial advertisement following revelations that Thomas Matthew Crooks, the gunman involved in the recent shooting at a Trump rally, appeared in the ad. The incident, which took place at a rally near Pittsburgh, resulted in the injury of former President Donald Trump and the death of an attendee. Good morning, today is day 3 of asking why Kimberly Cheatle, the Director of the Secret Service hasn’t resigned yet after her massive failure and gross incompetence. pic.twitter.com/NoHSiSE1P0 — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) July 15, 2024 BlackRock confirmed that Crooks, a former student at Bethel Park High School, appeared briefly in a 2022 commercial featuring a teacher from the same school. The video, which went viral on social media, has since been removed from circulation. In a statement, BlackRock expressed abhorrence at the violent act and reiterated its commitment to promoting civility and unity. Stunning. On this uniquely impactful morning, #MSNBC pulls its signature show #MorningJoe, for fear that some jackwagon panelist would say something grotesquely inappropriate. Profoundly pathetic… and probably a wise move on their part. pic.twitter.com/JqqDSGfz9f — Mark Davis (@MarkDavis) July 15, 2024 The company, a significant investor in gun manufacturers such as Sturm Ruger and Smith & Wesson, emphasized its stance against political violence. BlackRock has cooperated fully with authorities, providing all relevant video footage from the advertisement. The shooting has sparked widespread reactions and calls for increased security measures at political events. This incident adds to the ongoing debate about gun control and political violence in America. In a related development, BlackRock announced record assets under management, totaling $10.6 trillion in their latest quarterly earnings report, underscoring the firm's substantial influence in the financial sector. The post MSNBC Pulls “Morning Joe” Amid Controversy Over Trump Comments appeared first on The Conservative Brief.

'I know that the media loves this story'

'Incapacity'

'The pandering ... it’s not a respectful tone or manner'

Energy for years

'More or less than Joe Biden right now?'

'Adjustments have been made to the former president’s detail'