Pennsylvania State Police Address Safety Concerns Over Roof Used in Trump Shooting Incident

In a recent testimony before the House Homeland Security Committee, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris dismissed concerns raised by former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle regarding the safety of a sloped roof used by a shooter in an assassination attempt on former President Trump. Paris, who oversaw law enforcement's collaboration with the Secret Service during Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, responded to inquiries about the roof's safety. Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., highlighted his visit to the shooting scene, noting that Cheatle had previously stated the roof's slope posed safety risks, which prevented law enforcement from being stationed there. Guest pointed out that fellow committee member Rep. Carlos Gimenez, who is significantly older than the shooter, was able to traverse the roof with ease, questioning the validity of Cheatle's assessment. While Paris provided more information than Cheatle during her earlier hearing, he was constrained by the ongoing FBI investigation into the incident. He was accompanied by Patrick Yoes, the national president of the Fraternal Order of Police, who offered insights into police operations and security measures. Gimenez further emphasized the roof's accessibility by sharing a video of himself climbing it, asserting that he could navigate the area without difficulty, thereby challenging the safety concerns previously expressed.