ICYMI: Counter Extremism Project President Frances Townsend Named To Independent Security Review Following Trump Assassination Attempt

For Immediate Release Monday, July 29, 2024

(New York, N.Y.) – On July 21, CEP President and Former U.S. Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend was named as part of a bipartisan panel of experts conducting a 45-day independent security review of the July 13 attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Following the attempted assassination at a rally in Pennsylvania, in which former volunteer fire chief Corey D. Comperatore was shot and died at the scene, President Joe Biden directed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to conduct a full and independent review. Ms. Townsend has been named as one of four prominent individuals on the panel.

CEP Chief Executive Officer Ambassador Mark D. Wallace said:

“We congratulate Fran on her appointment to this distinguished panel of national security and law enforcement experts tasked with reviewing the shocking and tragic events of July 13.  There is no place for political violence in the United States, and it is essential that the Secret Service be able to effectively carry out its mission protecting current and former Presidents. Fran’s phenomenal expertise, impartiality, and wealth of experience make her the ideal candidate for this role, and the Counter Extremism Project is proud that one of our own has been tasked with the serious task of ensuring the Secret Service’s efficacy and integrity.”

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas has convened the panel to conduct an independent review of the U.S. Secret Service’s governing policies and procedures and a thorough examination of the actions taken by the Secret Service, as well as state and local authorities—before, after, and during the Trump rally on July 13. Last week, Director of the Secret Service Kimberley Cheatle resigned from her position. Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul revealed that the gunman had a detonation device on his body and two bombs in his vehicle.

The results of the review will be shared publicly, and Secretary Mayorkas has also encouraged the panel to share more immediate recommendations with him in real time.

To read Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas’ official statement click here.

To read CEP’s July 14 statement on the attempted assassination against President Trump click here.

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