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, provided insights into the incident while acknowledging the limitations imposed by the ongoing FBI investigation. Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., initiated the discussion by recounting his visit to the shooting scene, where Cheatle had previously expressed reservations about deploying officers on the roof due to safety issues. Guest highlighted that he and fellow committee member Carlos Gimenez, who is significantly older than the shooter, were able to traverse the roof without difficulty, questioning the validity of Cheatle's assessment. Paris's testimony included more details than Cheatle's earlier statements, although he remained constrained by the investigation's parameters. He was accompanied by Patrick Yoes, the national president of the Fraternal Order of Police, who provided expert 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 easily navigate the area, thereby challenging the safety concerns previously articulated by Cheatle.