Task Force issues subpoenas for ATF testimony in ongoing investigation of assassination attempt
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump Chairman Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) issued two subpoenas Monday to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) seeking testimony from two ATF employees regarding the response to the July 13 assassination attempt on President-elect Donald J. Trump in Butler, Pa.
The subpoenas follow letters from Chairman Kelly and Ranking Member Jason Crow (D-Colo.) on October 3 and again on November 6 seeking documents and testimony. For weeks, ATF had not produced any requested documents or made any personnel available for interviews with the Task Force. However, less than one hour after the Task Force served its subpoenas yesterday for depositions, ATF made its first set of documents available to the Task Force.
One of the Task Force’s two subpoenas for depositions was issued to an agent who participated in the agency’s response to the July 13 shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania. The other is for testimony from a supervisory agent.
Below is an excerpt from Chairman Kelly’s letters to each of the two ATF employees subpoenaed for testimony:
"The Task Force is continuing to investigate the role and involvement of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in the aftermath of both the July 13 and September 15 events. The Task Force sent an initial letter to ATF on October 3, 2024, requesting the production of documents and materials as well as transcribed interviews from select ATF personnel. The Task Force specifically outlined seventeen requests for document production, even going so far as to note which were the priority items. In addition, the Task Force identified three categories of requests for transcribed interviews with relevant ATF agents. ATF’s October 22, response was insufficient and untimely. It was delivered to the Task Force five days past the deadline, and contained less than four and half pages, more than half of which consisted of summary narratives. To date, ATF has failed to produce a single document responsive to the Task Force’s requests and has failed to make any of its personnel available for interviews.
The Task Force sent a follow-up letter on November 6, 2024, reiterating the Task Force’s requests and threatening compulsory process if ATF failed to provide a substantial production as well as availability dates for relevant employees to sit for transcribed interviews by November 13 …. The Task Force’s pressing need for your testimony is further perpetuated by the condensed timeframe in which it is operating. Given your role in the investigation after the attempted assassination on July 13, the Task Force believes you have critical information pertinent to its inquiry. Accordingly, attached is a deposition subpoena issued pursuant to Rule XI.2(m)(1)(B) of the Rules of the House of Representatives and House Resolution 1367.”
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