Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has admitted the attempted assassination was “a failure” of security.
“An incident like this cannot happen,” he said, noting that President Joe Biden has directed an independent review.
Pressed by CNN’s Kate Bolduan on who failed to ensure security at the rally, Mayorkas said “when I say that something like this cannot happen, we are speaking of a failure”.
“We are going to analyse through an independent review how that occurred, why it occurred and make recommendations and findings to make sure it doesn’t happen again. I couldn’t be clearer.”
Mayorkas said the government would “deliver answers to the American people to the fullest extent possible”.
The DHS secretary also strongly pushed back on the accusation that he had denied a request for more security for Trump.
“That’s a baseless and irresponsible statement and is one that is unequivocally false,” he said.
At the start of his interview, Mayorkas echoed Biden’s words that “we are so relieved that former President Trump is OK.
“Our hearts break for the Comperatore family and of course we pray for a speedy and safe, full recovery for those injured,” he said.
