<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/14/gov-pillens-property-tax-plan-would-add-new-taxes-on-120-goods-and-services-draft-indicates/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;The draft text of Gov. Jim Pillen’s plan to reduce Nebraska property taxes calls for new taxes on certain goods or services and phasing out most local K-12 property taxes over three years.

The Nebraska Examiner obtained the draft document and verified it over the weekend with six lawmakers who are part of a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/09/k-12-funding-shift-from-property-taxes-would-be-multiyear-effort-nebraska-lawmakers-say/">17-member task force</a>&nbsp;working with Pillen on the proposal. The outline calls for collecting more than $1 billion from the sales of currently tax-exempt goods or services, including agricultural and machinery and equipment and energy used in industry or agriculture.

“I would say that what you were sent is a very accurate depiction of kind of where we are heading,” State Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte said Sunday.

“You have correctly stated everything the committee has discussed. At this point the committee has not decided on a specific plan,” State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard said in a text.

State Sens. Teresa Ibach of Sumner, Merv Riepe of Ralston, George Dungan of Lincoln and John Fredrickson of Omaha also confirmed the Examiner’s reporting. Several stressed that the ideas remain in motion and that the group will likely meet at least once more before the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/25/property-tax-special-session-likely-to-begin-july-25-speaker-arch-offers-schedule/">expected special session begins July 25</a>.

A major component of the Pillen-led plan is phasing out all&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/26/questions-remain-as-gov-pillen-doubles-down-on-taking-over-k-12-public-school-funding/">operating expenses for K-12 public school districts</a>, which is about 80% of some district budgets and includes teacher salaries. Instead, the state would take on that burden.&nbsp;

The plan states this would cost about $1.2 billion in the first year.

To accomplish that goal, lawmakers would subsidize local spending levels and phase-down current tax rates for schools, with nearly all up to $1.05 per $100 of property valuations to:

Property owners would receive a credit beginning on their 2025 property tax statements to reflect the lower tax rates.

Jacobson said the tax rates are still being negotiated and could be higher than those listed.

Under the plan, school districts could still assess property taxes if approved by voters for bonds or two other school-related funds. Should the state fail to provide full year-to-year funding to schools, school boards could also collect taxes, by a majority vote, to cover that shortfall.

If still unsatisfied, school boards could ask voters to approve higher rates. That would require 60% approval of a ballot issue in a statewide primary or general election, which comes every other year.

Rewriting the state’s education formula “to boost student outcomes” would not be tackled until the 2025 legislative session. Almost one-third of the Legislature will be brand-new next year.

Another component, which Jacobson said is critical, is spending caps on city and county governments, with few exceptions.

“I’ve said this from the beginning, that without spending caps, we’ll end up right back where we were before,” Jacobson said.

The Pillen model calls for a 0% increase in annual property tax collections in deflationary times or based on inflationary increases, as determined by the consumer price index each December for the previous 12 months.

Exceptions where local governments could seek increased property tax rates would include&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=81-829.39" target="_blank">declared public emergencies</a>, voter approved bonds and other voter-approved increases (which would also need 60% approval at a statewide primary or general election). The plan also calls for a “reasonable exemption” for public health and safety, which has not been defined.

New growth would be allowed, defined as the percentage increase in taxable property value due to annexations or property improvements from construction or other value-added services.

The plan would include state spending cuts

“To ensure this is a total tax reduction,” the plan continues, “a portion of financing will come from spending cuts at the state level.”

In a Friday column, Pillen said $360 million in state spending would be cut, which includes $200 million in the state’s general pocketbook and $160 million from the newly created Education Future Fund in the current fiscal year.&nbsp;

Savings have been identified by Pillen’s Cabinet and the ongoing efficiency study from the Utah-based Epiphany Associates, the draft states.

Other major funding will come from&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/10/everybodys-got-to-play-breaking-down-nebraskas-more-than-100-sales-tax-exemptions/">removing sales tax exemptions</a>, raising “sin” taxes and using about $910 million from existing property tax programs, like homestead exemptions and property tax credits.

The target date for removing the exemptions is Oct. 1, with the Governor’s Office estimating about $663 million in new sales would be collected in the first nine months of implementation. In a full fiscal year, more than $1 billion would be collected.

Specific information on new “sin” taxes was not provided, though the governor has suggested raising cigarette taxes up $2 to $2.64 per pack and raising taxes on alcohol, vaping and more.&nbsp;

The plan doesn’t mention online sports betting, which the governor has said he’s open to, but does list new revenue from advertising services and cloud or other data-based software.

Pillen has said he would veto any proposal during the special session that includes legalizing and taxing marijuana.

The current statewide sales tax rate is 5.5 cents per dollar. Dakota County as well 261 cities or villages also&nbsp;<a href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/tax-forms/2024/slstax_rates_04-01-2024.pdf" target="_blank">levy local sales taxes</a>&nbsp;between 0.5 cents and 2 cents, which are collected by the state and returned to local governments.

Under the draft plan, more than 120 goods and services would be added to the tax rolls.

The group has discussed the state keeping the local-levied portion on the new sales taxes, rather than returning that revenue to local governments as is done with all other purchases.

Some of the goods and services slated for the new tax system include animal grooming, debt counseling, custom meat slaughtering, home repair and maintenance, lobbying and consulting, motor vehicle repair, pinball and other mechanical amusements and veterinary services for pets.

Ibach said that the list of exemptions remains fluid and that some exemptions have already been dropped after last week’s meeting, including net wrap and certain catalysts, chemicals and materials used in manufacturing ethanol and its coproducts.

Ibach said she continues to take issue with removing ag or manufacturing sales tax exemptions because her district wouldn’t support them. She said there were some indications in the meetings that “sin” tax revenue may be well above projections, and she wants to consider that potential revenue before eliminating sales tax exemptions.

“The plan continues to be revised/updated with each task force meeting,” she said in a text.

The plan would also levy taxes on agricultural and manufacturing equipment or machinery and energy used in agriculture or industry, which are currently exempt.

However, those goods would be taxed at a new, lower rate: 2 cents per dollar purchase. To prevent “double taxation,” personal property taxes would be removed on any newly taxed goods.

In many cases, the suggested goods and services have never been on state sales tax rolls or were exempted over time through legislation.

About 70 sales tax exemptions would remain, which could generate more than $5 billion if ended, according to the most recent Revenue Department estimates.

The most apparent is most food and groceries, medical equipment and medicine, and sales by religious organizations. Pillen had indicated all would remain exempt.

Also remaining tax-exempt would be: agricultural machinery repair and replacement parts, commercial artificial insemination, newspapers, laundromats, political campaign fundraisers, admissions to school events, public records and feminine hygiene products.

The two largest exempt categories would also remain: business components ($1.67 billion) and animal life whose products constitute food for human consumption or apparel ($1.18 billion).

While their broader categories are slated for new taxes, the following would remain exempt: coin-operated laundry; railroad rolling stock; special needs transportation services; offices for physicians, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists and mental health practitioners; substance abuse services; and other outpatient services.

Riepe said in a text the plan benefits large net-worth property owners, both rural and residential, at the expense of middle- and lower-income renters who have not not seen the yet-to-be-publicized list of new sales taxes.

“If the Governor is so sure he’s right, why hasn’t he held one town hall in Lincoln or Omaha?” Riepe asked, pointing to the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/13/gov-pillens-property-tax-tour-across-nebraska-didnt-lead-to-feedback-for-many-lawmakers/">two most populous cities</a>.

“We need transparency/engagement and a legitimate process,” Riepe said in another text.

State Sens. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln and Julie Slama of Dunbar, who are not task force members, reviewed the proposal and both harshly criticized the contents.

Said Slama: “Pillen’s plan taxes the average Nebraskan to death, then taxes them again for burial.”

Conrad said despite Pillen’s “best efforts to hide the ball and keep citizens and senators in the dark,” his ideas have come to light. She said “our worst fears are being confirmed.”

“This plan is indeed nothing more than a reverse Robin Hood scheme representing perhaps an unprecedented tax increase and massive tax shift asking Nebraska families to pay more to benefit the largest wealthiest landowners in the state like himself, which is ridiculous,” Conrad said.

Conrad said Pillen’s plan is “unserious at best and dangerous at worst” and said Pillen should cancel the special session “because his so-called plan is dead on arrival.”

“If he pushes forward,” Conrad continued, “the Legislature will reject this nonsense and explore responsible realistic solutions to deliver for Nebraskans.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721049739125.jpeg" alt="Gov. Jim Pillen leads a town hall on his property tax reform ideas in his hometown of Columbus at the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Jim Pillen leads a town hall on his property tax reform ideas in his hometown of Columbus at the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/14/gov-pillens-property-tax-plan-would-add-new-taxes-on-120-goods-and-services-draft-indicates/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;The draft text of Gov. Jim Pillen’s plan to reduce Nebraska property taxes calls for new taxes on certain goods or services and phasing out most local K-12 property taxes over three years.The Nebraska Examiner obtained the draft document and verified it over the weekend with six lawmakers who are part of a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/09/k-12-funding-shift-from-property-taxes-would-be-multiyear-effort-nebraska-lawmakers-say/">17-member task force</a>&nbsp;working with Pillen on the proposal. The outline calls for collecting more than $1 billion from the sales of currently tax-exempt goods or services, including agricultural and machinery and equipment and energy used in industry or agriculture.“I would say that what you were sent is a very accurate depiction of kind of where we are heading,” State Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte said Sunday.“You have correctly stated everything the committee has discussed. At this point the committee has not decided on a specific plan,” State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard said in a text.State Sens. Teresa Ibach of Sumner, Merv Riepe of Ralston, George Dungan of Lincoln and John Fredrickson of Omaha also confirmed the Examiner’s reporting. Several stressed that the ideas remain in motion and that the group will likely meet at least once more before the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/25/property-tax-special-session-likely-to-begin-july-25-speaker-arch-offers-schedule/">expected special session begins July 25</a>.<h2>School funding phaseout</h2>A major component of the Pillen-led plan is phasing out all&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/26/questions-remain-as-gov-pillen-doubles-down-on-taking-over-k-12-public-school-funding/">operating expenses for K-12 public school districts</a>, which is about 80% of some district budgets and includes teacher salaries. Instead, the state would take on that burden.&nbsp;The plan states this would cost about $1.2 billion in the first year.To accomplish that goal, lawmakers would subsidize local spending levels and phase-down current tax rates for schools, with nearly all up to $1.05 per $100 of property valuations to:<ul>
 <li>15 cents in 2024.</li><li>7.5 cents in 2025.</li><li>0 cents in 2026.</li>
 </ul>Property owners would receive a credit beginning on their 2025 property tax statements to reflect the lower tax rates.Jacobson said the tax rates are still being negotiated and could be higher than those listed.Under the plan, school districts could still assess property taxes if approved by voters for bonds or two other school-related funds. Should the state fail to provide full year-to-year funding to schools, school boards could also collect taxes, by a majority vote, to cover that shortfall.If still unsatisfied, school boards could ask voters to approve higher rates. That would require 60% approval of a ballot issue in a statewide primary or general election, which comes every other year.Rewriting the state’s education formula “to boost student outcomes” would not be tackled until the 2025 legislative session. Almost one-third of the Legislature will be brand-new next year.<h2>Local city, county spending caps</h2>Another component, which Jacobson said is critical, is spending caps on city and county governments, with few exceptions.“I’ve said this from the beginning, that without spending caps, we’ll end up right back where we were before,” Jacobson said.The Pillen model calls for a 0% increase in annual property tax collections in deflationary times or based on inflationary increases, as determined by the consumer price index each December for the previous 12 months.Exceptions where local governments could seek increased property tax rates would include&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=81-829.39" target="_blank">declared public emergencies</a>, voter approved bonds and other voter-approved increases (which would also need 60% approval at a statewide primary or general election). The plan also calls for a “reasonable exemption” for public health and safety, which has not been defined.New growth would be allowed, defined as the percentage increase in taxable property value due to annexations or property improvements from construction or other value-added services.<h2>The plan would include state spending cuts</h2>“To ensure this is a total tax reduction,” the plan continues, “a portion of financing will come from spending cuts at the state level.”In a Friday column, Pillen said $360 million in state spending would be cut, which includes $200 million in the state’s general pocketbook and $160 million from the newly created Education Future Fund in the current fiscal year.&nbsp;Savings have been identified by Pillen’s Cabinet and the ongoing efficiency study from the Utah-based Epiphany Associates, the draft states.Other major funding will come from&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/10/everybodys-got-to-play-breaking-down-nebraskas-more-than-100-sales-tax-exemptions/">removing sales tax exemptions</a>, raising “sin” taxes and using about $910 million from existing property tax programs, like homestead exemptions and property tax credits.The target date for removing the exemptions is Oct. 1, with the Governor’s Office estimating about $663 million in new sales would be collected in the first nine months of implementation. In a full fiscal year, more than $1 billion would be collected.Specific information on new “sin” taxes was not provided, though the governor has suggested raising cigarette taxes up $2 to $2.64 per pack and raising taxes on alcohol, vaping and more.&nbsp;The plan doesn’t mention online sports betting, which the governor has said he’s open to, but does list new revenue from advertising services and cloud or other data-based software.Pillen has said he would veto any proposal during the special session that includes legalizing and taxing marijuana.<h2>Proposed sales tax exemptions</h2>The current statewide sales tax rate is 5.5 cents per dollar. Dakota County as well 261 cities or villages also&nbsp;<a href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/tax-forms/2024/slstax_rates_04-01-2024.pdf" target="_blank">levy local sales taxes</a>&nbsp;between 0.5 cents and 2 cents, which are collected by the state and returned to local governments.Under the draft plan, more than 120 goods and services would be added to the tax rolls.The group has discussed the state keeping the local-levied portion on the new sales taxes, rather than returning that revenue to local governments as is done with all other purchases.Some of the goods and services slated for the new tax system include animal grooming, debt counseling, custom meat slaughtering, home repair and maintenance, lobbying and consulting, motor vehicle repair, pinball and other mechanical amusements and veterinary services for pets.Ibach said that the list of exemptions remains fluid and that some exemptions have already been dropped after last week’s meeting, including net wrap and certain catalysts, chemicals and materials used in manufacturing ethanol and its coproducts.Ibach said she continues to take issue with removing ag or manufacturing sales tax exemptions because her district wouldn’t support them. She said there were some indications in the meetings that “sin” tax revenue may be well above projections, and she wants to consider that potential revenue before eliminating sales tax exemptions.“The plan continues to be revised/updated with each task force meeting,” she said in a text.The plan would also levy taxes on agricultural and manufacturing equipment or machinery and energy used in agriculture or industry, which are currently exempt.However, those goods would be taxed at a new, lower rate: 2 cents per dollar purchase. To prevent “double taxation,” personal property taxes would be removed on any newly taxed goods.In many cases, the suggested goods and services have never been on state sales tax rolls or were exempted over time through legislation.<h2>What would remain exempt?</h2>About 70 sales tax exemptions would remain, which could generate more than $5 billion if ended, according to the most recent Revenue Department estimates.The most apparent is most food and groceries, medical equipment and medicine, and sales by religious organizations. Pillen had indicated all would remain exempt.Also remaining tax-exempt would be: agricultural machinery repair and replacement parts, commercial artificial insemination, newspapers, laundromats, political campaign fundraisers, admissions to school events, public records and feminine hygiene products.The two largest exempt categories would also remain: business components ($1.67 billion) and animal life whose products constitute food for human consumption or apparel ($1.18 billion).While their broader categories are slated for new taxes, the following would remain exempt: coin-operated laundry; railroad rolling stock; special needs transportation services; offices for physicians, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists and mental health practitioners; substance abuse services; and other outpatient services.<h2>‘A reverse Robin Hood scheme’</h2>Riepe said in a text the plan benefits large net-worth property owners, both rural and residential, at the expense of middle- and lower-income renters who have not not seen the yet-to-be-publicized list of new sales taxes.“If the Governor is so sure he’s right, why hasn’t he held one town hall in Lincoln or Omaha?” Riepe asked, pointing to the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/13/gov-pillens-property-tax-tour-across-nebraska-didnt-lead-to-feedback-for-many-lawmakers/">two most populous cities</a>.“We need transparency/engagement and a legitimate process,” Riepe said in another text.State Sens. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln and Julie Slama of Dunbar, who are not task force members, reviewed the proposal and both harshly criticized the contents.Said Slama: “Pillen’s plan taxes the average Nebraskan to death, then taxes them again for burial.”Conrad said despite Pillen’s “best efforts to hide the ball and keep citizens and senators in the dark,” his ideas have come to light. She said “our worst fears are being confirmed.”“This plan is indeed nothing more than a reverse Robin Hood scheme representing perhaps an unprecedented tax increase and massive tax shift asking Nebraska families to pay more to benefit the largest wealthiest landowners in the state like himself, which is ridiculous,” Conrad said.Conrad said Pillen’s plan is “unserious at best and dangerous at worst” and said Pillen should cancel the special session “because his so-called plan is dead on arrival.”“If he pushes forward,” Conrad continued, “the Legislature will reject this nonsense and explore responsible realistic solutions to deliver for Nebraskans.”

Gov. Pillen’s property tax plan would add new taxes on 120+ goods and services, draft indicates

Nebraska Department of Transportation

(Ainsworth, Neb.) — Work is underway on N-11, from reference post 114.97 to reference post 127.42, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

Vontz Paving of Hastings is the prime contractor for this project. Work includes culvert and flume installation, milling, asphalt paving, and seeding. Traffic will be maintained with a pilot car and flaggers for temporary lane restrictions. Traffic will be reduced to a single lane for complete surfacing removal and replacement, from station 175+00 to 185+00, with traffic maintained with temporary traffic signals and an 11-foot width restriction. Anticipated completion is Sept. 2024.

Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and to put phones down.

Nebraska Department of Transportation(Ainsworth, Neb.) — Work is underway on N-11, from reference post 114.97 to reference post 127.42, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.Vontz Paving of Hastings is the prime contractor for this project. Work includes culvert and flume installation, milling, asphalt paving, and seeding. Traffic will be maintained with a pilot car and flaggers for temporary lane restrictions. Traffic will be reduced to a single lane for complete surfacing removal and replacement, from station 175+00 to 185+00, with traffic maintained with temporary traffic signals and an 11-foot width restriction. Anticipated completion is Sept. 2024.Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and to put phones down.

Road work underway on N-11, from the Garfield/Holt County line north for 13 miles

WASHINGTON —Missouri U.S. Senator Josh Hawley on Sunday&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14386QQQ9225034QQQ8082554QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2024%2f07%2fHawley-Letter-to-Chairman-Peters-re-Attempted-Assassination-of-Trump.pdf&amp;redir_log=659204414725889" target="_blank">sent</a>&nbsp;a letter to U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), calling on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) Chairman to immediately&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14386QQQ9225034QQQ8082554QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fx.com%2fHawleyMO%2fstatus%2f1812462184728846842&amp;redir_log=967991304406288" target="_blank">launch</a>&nbsp;an investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally Saturday.

“This HSGAC investigation must include public testimony, hearings, and robust oversight over the relevant federal departments as they respond to this assassination attempt. Sworn testimony must be heard from Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. Nothing should be classified or withheld from the public,”&nbsp;wrote Senator Hawley.

“Our prayers are with President Trump, the family of the slain American, and the innocent civilians who were injured. We owe it to the victims and the American people to get to the bottom of what happened. The American people have questions. And they deserve answers,”&nbsp;he concluded.

Senator Hawley previously&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14386QQQ9225034QQQ8082554QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fhawley-statement-on-attempted-assassination-of-president-trump%2f&amp;redir_log=558475836707660" target="_blank">released</a>&nbsp;statements following the shooting,&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14386QQQ9225034QQQ8082554QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.realclearpolitics.com%2farticles%2f2024%2f07%2f14%2ftrump_survives_assassination_attempt_shooter_dead__151259.html&amp;redir_log=115496052595803" target="_blank">condemning</a>&nbsp;the political violence and demanding answers from President Biden’s Justice Department on the identity of the shooter.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720953321409.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —Missouri U.S. Senator Josh Hawley on Sunday&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14386QQQ9225034QQQ8082554QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2024%2f07%2fHawley-Letter-to-Chairman-Peters-re-Attempted-Assassination-of-Trump.pdf&amp;redir_log=659204414725889" target="_blank">sent</a>&nbsp;a letter to U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), calling on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) Chairman to immediately&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14386QQQ9225034QQQ8082554QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fx.com%2fHawleyMO%2fstatus%2f1812462184728846842&amp;redir_log=967991304406288" target="_blank">launch</a>&nbsp;an investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally Saturday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721008784101.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“This HSGAC investigation must include public testimony, hearings, and robust oversight over the relevant federal departments as they respond to this assassination attempt. Sworn testimony must be heard from Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. Nothing should be classified or withheld from the public,”&nbsp;wrote Senator Hawley.“Our prayers are with President Trump, the family of the slain American, and the innocent civilians who were injured. We owe it to the victims and the American people to get to the bottom of what happened. The American people have questions. And they deserve answers,”&nbsp;he concluded.Senator Hawley previously&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14386QQQ9225034QQQ8082554QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fhawley-statement-on-attempted-assassination-of-president-trump%2f&amp;redir_log=558475836707660" target="_blank">released</a>&nbsp;statements following the shooting,&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14386QQQ9225034QQQ8082554QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.realclearpolitics.com%2farticles%2f2024%2f07%2f14%2ftrump_survives_assassination_attempt_shooter_dead__151259.html&amp;redir_log=115496052595803" target="_blank">condemning</a>&nbsp;the political violence and demanding answers from President Biden’s Justice Department on the identity of the shooter.&nbsp;

Missouri Senator demands full-scale investigation on attempted assassination of Trump

By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Author/42773/c-todd-lopez/">C. Todd Lopez</a>, Department of Defense

As the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nato.int/" target="_blank">NATO</a>&nbsp;summit in Washington concluded last week, the U.S. announced its latest security package for Ukraine.&nbsp;

"The Defense Department announced the 61st presidential drawdown authority package, which has an estimated value of $225 million," said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh during a briefing Friday. "This package will provide Ukraine additional capabilities to meet its most urgent needs and includes one Patriot battery, munitions for rocket systems, and artillery and antitank weapons."

Also among the materials in the latest security assistance package are 155 mm and 105 mm artillery rounds; Javelin and AT-4 antiarmor systems; and small-arms ammunition.&nbsp;

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, the United States has committed more than $53.7 billion in security assistance through both presidential drawdown authority and the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717851301558.png" alt="File photo White House -Since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, the United States has committed more than $53.7 billion in security assistance" />
 <figcaption>File photo White House -Since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, the United States has committed more than $53.7 billion in security assistance</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Author/42773/c-todd-lopez/">C. Todd Lopez</a>, Department of DefenseAs the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nato.int/" target="_blank">NATO</a>&nbsp;summit in Washington concluded last week, the U.S. announced its latest security package for Ukraine.&nbsp;"The Defense Department announced the 61st presidential drawdown authority package, which has an estimated value of $225 million," said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh during a briefing Friday. "This package will provide Ukraine additional capabilities to meet its most urgent needs and includes one Patriot battery, munitions for rocket systems, and artillery and antitank weapons."Also among the materials in the latest security assistance package are 155 mm and 105 mm artillery rounds; Javelin and AT-4 antiarmor systems; and small-arms ammunition.&nbsp;Since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, the United States has committed more than $53.7 billion in security assistance through both presidential drawdown authority and the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

$53.7 Billion: U.S. spending more on weapons for Ukraine

Late Sunday morning Former first lady Melania Trump released a letter following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

In a post on his social media network, former President Donald Trump also thanked “everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening.”

“We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness,” he said.

Trump also said, “Our love goes out to the other victims and their families” and he said he’s praying “for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed.”

“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win,” he adds.

“I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin,” he said in his Sunday morning social media post.&nbsp;&nbsp;The convention kicks off Monday in Milwaukee.

An online fundraiser for victims of the Trump rally shooting has raised more than $1 million.

The fund created by Trump campaign officials is “a place for donations to the supporters and families wounded or killed” in Saturday’s assassination attempt."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602762449332.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Late Sunday morning Former first lady Melania Trump released a letter following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720974759727.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720974789176.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In a post on his social media network, former President Donald Trump also thanked “everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening.”“We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness,” he said.Trump also said, “Our love goes out to the other victims and their families” and he said he’s praying “for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed.”“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win,” he adds.“I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin,” he said in his Sunday morning social media post.&nbsp;&nbsp;The convention kicks off Monday in Milwaukee.An online fundraiser for victims of the Trump rally shooting has raised more than $1 million.The fund created by Trump campaign officials is “a place for donations to the supporters and families wounded or killed” in Saturday’s assassination attempt."

Read Melania Trump's letter after the attempted assassination 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721002063120.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden Full Oval Office Address following Assassination Attempt against former President Trump: &quot;We can&#39;t allow this violence to be normalized.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/IkhCZn8Fn0">pic.twitter.com/IkhCZn8Fn0</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1812645870795391383?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥 Biden's oval office address following Trump assassination attempt

WASHINGTON — Thousands of Republicans will gather in Milwaukee beginning Monday for the party’s presidential nominating convention — a typically joyous occasion that will likely take on a different tone this year after a gunman shot at Donald Trump, injuring him, on Saturday.

Trump, who will be formally nominated as the GOP’s presidential nominee on Thursday, still plans to attend the convention and officials stress the four-day event will go on as normal.

The shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania is being i<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/campaigns-elections/fbi-identifies-shooter-in-assassination-attempt-on-trump-at-butler-rally/" target="_blank">nvestigated as an attempted assassination</a>&nbsp;and the FBI identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pa. The U.S. Secret Service “neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased,” the Secret Service said.

Trump, who has been declared “safe” by the Secret Service, posted on social media Sunday morning that he was still looking “forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.”

“Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening,” Trump wrote. “We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness. Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win.”

Senior advisors to the Trump campaign Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita released a statement hours after the shooting on Saturday to say that the former president wasn’t changing his plans.

“President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States,” Wiles and LaCivita wrote in a joint statement. “As our party’s nominee, President Trump will continue to share his vision to Make America Great Again.”

Reince Priebus, chairman of the MKE 2024 Host Committee, said in a separate statement that he was “heartbroken that reports indicate that at least one innocent person has been killed and perhaps others have been injured. This horrific violence has no place in America.”

“Guests have already begun to arrive in Wisconsin, and we look forward to working with the Republican National Committee to welcome everyone to Milwaukee this week,” Priebus added.

Political party conventions are designated as National Special Security Events, or NSSEs, and come with extremely heightened security compared to a typical campaign rally.

The Secret Service will have at least two security perimeters around the Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee and the city itself will be swarming with additional federal, state and local law enforcement officers.

The convention will still host speeches throughout the week and the dozens of side events hosted by state Republican Parties and conservative organizations were still expected to continue, though likely with a more somber mood than was planned before the shooting.

WASHINGTON — Thousands of Republicans will gather in Milwaukee beginning Monday for the party’s presidential nominating convention — a typically joyous occasion that will likely take on a different tone this year after a gunman shot at Donald Trump, injuring him, on Saturday.Trump, who will be formally nominated as the GOP’s presidential nominee on Thursday, still plans to attend the convention and officials stress the four-day event will go on as normal.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGOP%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0UqxG4atEqJipdnJHrSDcy6PG92u7nPxP1Jkxx5jeFWFZ9RPNxrqrn2Z3EGeFvR6hl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="364" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>The shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania is being i<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/campaigns-elections/fbi-identifies-shooter-in-assassination-attempt-on-trump-at-butler-rally/" target="_blank">nvestigated as an attempted assassination</a>&nbsp;and the FBI identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pa. The U.S. Secret Service “neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased,” the Secret Service said.Trump, who has been declared “safe” by the Secret Service, posted on social media Sunday morning that he was still looking “forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.”“Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening,” Trump wrote. “We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness. Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win.”Senior advisors to the Trump campaign Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita released a statement hours after the shooting on Saturday to say that the former president wasn’t changing his plans.“President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States,” Wiles and LaCivita wrote in a joint statement. “As our party’s nominee, President Trump will continue to share his vision to Make America Great Again.”Reince Priebus, chairman of the MKE 2024 Host Committee, said in a separate statement that he was “heartbroken that reports indicate that at least one innocent person has been killed and perhaps others have been injured. This horrific violence has no place in America.”“Guests have already begun to arrive in Wisconsin, and we look forward to working with the Republican National Committee to welcome everyone to Milwaukee this week,” Priebus added.Political party conventions are designated as National Special Security Events, or NSSEs, and come with extremely heightened security compared to a typical campaign rally.The Secret Service will have at least two security perimeters around the Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee and the city itself will be swarming with additional federal, state and local law enforcement officers.The convention will still host speeches throughout the week and the dozens of side events hosted by state Republican Parties and conservative organizations were still expected to continue, though likely with a more somber mood than was planned before the shooting.

GOP convention to go on as planned in Milwaukee, with Trump in attendance

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/12/ne-board-of-parole-chided-after-employees-used-state-cars-for-personal-commutes/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — State auditors used GPS tracking data to uncover inappropriate personal use of state cars by Nebraska parole officers — exposing about 300 unapproved trips and more than 9,000 miles over a year’s time.&nbsp;

Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley said the problematic use was especially striking as the dozen offenders pointed out are government employees whose jobs are to meet with and help former inmates stay on “the straight and narrow path.”

“In a sense, they have to set an example themselves … obey the laws and respect state property,” Foley said.

He noted — as did an audit released this week — that personal use of a state-owned vehicle is a misdemeanor under Nebraska law.

Rosalyn Cotton, chair of the Nebraska Board of Parole, said Friday that more investigation and research on the board’s end is needed to determine disciplinary action, if any.

While the&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2024/SA15-07112024-January_1_2023_Through_December_31_2023_Attestation_Report.pdf" target="_blank">26-page audit</a>&nbsp;report covered the Nebraska Board of Pardons as well, it focused more on the Board of Parole and problematic vehicle usage in that agency. The audit covers calendar year 2023.

During that time, the state’s 43 parole officers and Division of Parole Supervision were under the wing of the Board of Parole. A state law passed this year&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/04/legislative-package-advances-to-reform-nebraska-parole-board/">returns those officers</a>&nbsp;and supervision of paroled inmates to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, where they had been prior to 2016.

Cotton said that regardless of the shift, her team is working to ensure that improper use of state vehicles doesn’t happen again, including providing clearer direction about what is and is not allowed.

Auditors noted in their report that the Board of Parole had failed to implement a formal vehicle use policy as guidance.

“Without such procedures there is significantly increased risk for not only abuse of state vehicles but also loss, theft, or misuse of public property or funds,” the report said.

Foley said a glaring deficiency was in management not reviewing the Global Positioning System (GPS) usage data generated to ensure that vehicles are used only for essential state work business.

“The agency never even asked for the data to check where those people were going, where those cars went. We could see them going back and forth to their homes.”

– Mike Foley, Nebraska State Auditor

He said his office is pushing for agencies across state government to use GPS tracking to help reduce abuse. He said the devices come with minimal financial cost.

“What we found peculiar is that those vehicles were all equipped with GPS monitors,” Foley said of the parole agency. “The agency never even asked for the data to check where those people were going, where those cars went. We could see them going back and forth to their homes.”

According to the audit, 12 employees of the Board of Parole during 2023 used state vehicles to drive 9,018 unauthorized miles to and from their personal residences.&nbsp;

Total miles driven in state-owned vehicles that year by parole employees was about 390,000.&nbsp;

None of the 12 offenders described in the audit was a member of the&nbsp; Parole Board. Those five-full-time governor appointees determine if prison inmates get parole.

Two of the offending parole officers racked up the bulk of the questionable miles. Of 291 unapproved trips cited, 255 were attributed to those two.

At times, the auditors said, the two billed the department for “on the clock” hours after they had arrived home.&nbsp;

Auditors said those two faced deeper scrutiny after their car usage emerged early on as more conspicuous.

Circumstances exist, Foley said, where it makes sense for state employees to take a vehicle home. But, he said auditors found no documentation that the trips in question had been approved by managers.

When questioned by auditors during the process, Board of Parole representatives reportedly said they had no knowledge of the problem activity.&nbsp;

In a response in the final report, board representatives said they will aim to implement the auditing team’s recommendations, including documenting purpose of all travel with a state vehicle and banning commutes to and from home without proper authorization.

Among improprieties brought up by auditors was a parole officer’s 243-mile trip, while not on the clock, to attend a retirement celebration in Lincoln. Another 16 times, employees were not getting paid for work but drove a state car to a personal event.&nbsp;

“Certainly you can’t use a state vehicle on your day off to go to a retirement party,” Foley said.

Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/12/ne-board-of-parole-chided-after-employees-used-state-cars-for-personal-commutes/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — State auditors used GPS tracking data to uncover inappropriate personal use of state cars by Nebraska parole officers — exposing about 300 unapproved trips and more than 9,000 miles over a year’s time.&nbsp;Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley said the problematic use was especially striking as the dozen offenders pointed out are government employees whose jobs are to meet with and help former inmates stay on “the straight and narrow path.”“In a sense, they have to set an example themselves … obey the laws and respect state property,” Foley said.He noted — as did an audit released this week — that personal use of a state-owned vehicle is a misdemeanor under Nebraska law.<h2>Car use policy was lacking</h2>Rosalyn Cotton, chair of the Nebraska Board of Parole, said Friday that more investigation and research on the board’s end is needed to determine disciplinary action, if any.While the&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2024/SA15-07112024-January_1_2023_Through_December_31_2023_Attestation_Report.pdf" target="_blank">26-page audit</a>&nbsp;report covered the Nebraska Board of Pardons as well, it focused more on the Board of Parole and problematic vehicle usage in that agency. The audit covers calendar year 2023.During that time, the state’s 43 parole officers and Division of Parole Supervision were under the wing of the Board of Parole. A state law passed this year&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/04/legislative-package-advances-to-reform-nebraska-parole-board/">returns those officers</a>&nbsp;and supervision of paroled inmates to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, where they had been prior to 2016.Cotton said that regardless of the shift, her team is working to ensure that improper use of state vehicles doesn’t happen again, including providing clearer direction about what is and is not allowed.Auditors noted in their report that the Board of Parole had failed to implement a formal vehicle use policy as guidance.“Without such procedures there is significantly increased risk for not only abuse of state vehicles but also loss, theft, or misuse of public property or funds,” the report said.<h2>Auditor urges more GPS</h2>Foley said a glaring deficiency was in management not reviewing the Global Positioning System (GPS) usage data generated to ensure that vehicles are used only for essential state work business.“The agency never even asked for the data to check where those people were going, where those cars went. We could see them going back and forth to their homes.”– Mike Foley, Nebraska State AuditorHe said his office is pushing for agencies across state government to use GPS tracking to help reduce abuse. He said the devices come with minimal financial cost.“What we found peculiar is that those vehicles were all equipped with GPS monitors,” Foley said of the parole agency. “The agency never even asked for the data to check where those people were going, where those cars went. We could see them going back and forth to their homes.”According to the audit, 12 employees of the Board of Parole during 2023 used state vehicles to drive 9,018 unauthorized miles to and from their personal residences.&nbsp;Total miles driven in state-owned vehicles that year by parole employees was about 390,000.&nbsp;None of the 12 offenders described in the audit was a member of the&nbsp; Parole Board. Those five-full-time governor appointees determine if prison inmates get parole.Two of the offending parole officers racked up the bulk of the questionable miles. Of 291 unapproved trips cited, 255 were attributed to those two.At times, the auditors said, the two billed the department for “on the clock” hours after they had arrived home.&nbsp;Auditors said those two faced deeper scrutiny after their car usage emerged early on as more conspicuous.Circumstances exist, Foley said, where it makes sense for state employees to take a vehicle home. But, he said auditors found no documentation that the trips in question had been approved by managers.<h2>243 miles for retirement party</h2>When questioned by auditors during the process, Board of Parole representatives reportedly said they had no knowledge of the problem activity.&nbsp;In a response in the final report, board representatives said they will aim to implement the auditing team’s recommendations, including documenting purpose of all travel with a state vehicle and banning commutes to and from home without proper authorization.Among improprieties brought up by auditors was a parole officer’s 243-mile trip, while not on the clock, to attend a retirement celebration in Lincoln. Another 16 times, employees were not getting paid for work but drove a state car to a personal event.&nbsp;“Certainly you can’t use a state vehicle on your day off to go to a retirement party,” Foley said.

NE Board of Parole chided after employees used state cars for personal commutes

WASHINGTON —President Biden delivered remarks from the White House Sunday afternoon following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

Biden also said he will deliver an address to the nation Sunday evening&nbsp; from the Oval Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720980474457.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —President Biden delivered remarks from the White House Sunday afternoon following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden: &quot;We don&#39;t yet have any information about the motive of the shooter. We know who he is. I urge everyone, everyone please, don&#39;t make assumptions about his motives or his affiliations. Let the FBI do their job.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/JxvTCocHfh">pic.twitter.com/JxvTCocHfh</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1812552520008421656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden also said he will deliver an address to the nation Sunday evening&nbsp; from the Oval Office.

🎥Biden orders security review after attempted assassination of Trump

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/kimlyons/">KIM LYONS</a>

The FBI said early Sunday it had identified the man who shot former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler on Saturday as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park.

The U.S. Secret Service said Saturday night that the shooter “fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue,” adding Secret Service personnel “neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased.”

Trump was pronounced safe shortly after the incident. A spectator at the rally were killed and two others were injured in the shooting. The victims’ identities have not yet been released by law enforcement.

“Tonight we had what we’re calling an assassination attempt on our former president, Donald Trump,”&nbsp;Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek of the FBI Pittsburgh field office said at a press conference late Saturday. “We do not currently have an identified motive.”

The site of the shooting at the Butler Farm Show Inc. about 40 minutes north of Pittsburgh, remained an active crime scene, although authorities said they did not believe there was any ongoing threat.

Anyone who attended the rally or has information is asked to call 1-800-call-fbi, or go to fbi.gov/butler.

The shooting began shortly after Trump took the stage at about 6 p.m. Saturday. Several loud pops could be heard and a bloodied Trump was whisked from the stage, but not before pumping his fist toward the crowd.

Trump confirmed he was shot in a&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/112782066045321247" target="_blank">post to Truth Social</a>&nbsp;a few hours after the shooting.” I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” he wrote.

How the shooter was able to get so close to the former president was not clear. Rojek said it was “surprising,” and added “the Secret Service really needs to answer that question, they conduct the initial site survey, they do the initial security assessments and determine where the different security locations should be, and they’re the ones who are in charge of securing the scene.”

President Joe&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/briefs/biden-says-no-place-for-this-kind-of-violence-in-america-after-shooting-at-trump-rally/" target="_blank">Biden condemned the shooting</a>&nbsp;in a brief statement from Delaware Saturday night “There’s no place in America for this kind of violence,” Biden said.

Congressional Republicans, meanwhile, have initiated an investigation into the incident. U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-Kentucky), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, sent an email to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle requesting her to appear at a committee hearing July 22.

The Trump campaign said Saturday the former president, who was out of the hospital and at his golf&nbsp;<a href="https://abc7ny.com/post/trump-news-former-president-returns-bedminster-nj-after/15058104/" target="_blank">club in Bedminster, New Jersey</a>, would attend the Republican National Committee in Milwaukee this week as planned. He will receive the GOP’s formal nomination as its 2023 presidential candidate on Thursday.

This story was originally published by the&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/campaigns-elections/fbi-identifies-shooter-in-assassination-attempt-on-trump-at-butler-rally/" target="_blank">Pennsylvania Capital-Star</a>, a States Newsroom affiliate.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720953321409.png" alt="Photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/kimlyons/">KIM LYONS</a>The FBI said early Sunday it had identified the man who shot former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler on Saturday as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park.The U.S. Secret Service said Saturday night that the shooter “fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue,” adding Secret Service personnel “neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased.”Trump was pronounced safe shortly after the incident. A spectator at the rally were killed and two others were injured in the shooting. The victims’ identities have not yet been released by law enforcement.“Tonight we had what we’re calling an assassination attempt on our former president, Donald Trump,”&nbsp;Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek of the FBI Pittsburgh field office said at a press conference late Saturday. “We do not currently have an identified motive.”The site of the shooting at the Butler Farm Show Inc. about 40 minutes north of Pittsburgh, remained an active crime scene, although authorities said they did not believe there was any ongoing threat.Anyone who attended the rally or has information is asked to call 1-800-call-fbi, or go to fbi.gov/butler.The shooting began shortly after Trump took the stage at about 6 p.m. Saturday. Several loud pops could be heard and a bloodied Trump was whisked from the stage, but not before pumping his fist toward the crowd.Trump confirmed he was shot in a&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/112782066045321247" target="_blank">post to Truth Social</a>&nbsp;a few hours after the shooting.” I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear,” he wrote.How the shooter was able to get so close to the former president was not clear. Rojek said it was “surprising,” and added “the Secret Service really needs to answer that question, they conduct the initial site survey, they do the initial security assessments and determine where the different security locations should be, and they’re the ones who are in charge of securing the scene.”President Joe&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/briefs/biden-says-no-place-for-this-kind-of-violence-in-america-after-shooting-at-trump-rally/" target="_blank">Biden condemned the shooting</a>&nbsp;in a brief statement from Delaware Saturday night “There’s no place in America for this kind of violence,” Biden said.Congressional Republicans, meanwhile, have initiated an investigation into the incident. U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-Kentucky), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, sent an email to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle requesting her to appear at a committee hearing July 22.The Trump campaign said Saturday the former president, who was out of the hospital and at his golf&nbsp;<a href="https://abc7ny.com/post/trump-news-former-president-returns-bedminster-nj-after/15058104/" target="_blank">club in Bedminster, New Jersey</a>, would attend the Republican National Committee in Milwaukee this week as planned. He will receive the GOP’s formal nomination as its 2023 presidential candidate on Thursday.This story was originally published by the&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/campaigns-elections/fbi-identifies-shooter-in-assassination-attempt-on-trump-at-butler-rally/" target="_blank">Pennsylvania Capital-Star</a>, a States Newsroom affiliate.&nbsp;

FBI identifies shooter in assassination attempt on Trump at campaign rally

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/johncole/">JOHN COLE</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/kimlyons/">KIM LYONS</a>

BUTLER, Penn. — Former President Donald Trump is recovering Saturday after a shooting at a campaign rally in Butler that left a rally-goer and the gunman dead, authorities said. Two people were critically injured in the incident, according to the U.S. Secret Service.

Shortly after Trump took the stage at about 6 p.m., several loud pops could be heard, and Secret Service agents whisked him off the stage, blood visible on his face. Trump briefly pumped his fist at the crowd before he left the stage.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?c5123735/shots-fired-trump-rally" target="_blank">Video from the incident appeared to show</a>&nbsp;Trump reacting to something hitting his ear.

Saturday’s event was to be Trump’s final campaign rally before he formally accepts the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential nomination at next week’s&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/campaigns-elections/republican-national-convention-launches-monday-amid-some-grumbling-over-abortion-stance/" target="_blank">Republican National Convention.</a>

Trump posted to his&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/112782066045321247" target="_blank">verified account on the Truth Social platform</a>&nbsp;at 8:42 p.m. and appeared to confirm he was shot.

“I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured,” Trump wrote. “It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Anthony Guglielmi, Chief of Communications for the U.S. Secret Service released a statement to reporters shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday:

“During Former President Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the evening of July 13 at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue. U.S. Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. U.S. Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and Former President Trump is safe. One spectator was killed, and two spectators were critically injured. This incident is currently under investigation. and the Secret Service has notified the FBI.”

Butler County District Attorney&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/election-biden-trump-07-13-24#h_9d8cd81facc12ce5faa7d1cdab27e698" target="_blank">Richard Goldinger said on CNN</a>&nbsp;that he shooter was “outside of the grounds, so to speak. Quite frankly I don’t know how he would have gotten to the location he was … we’re gonna have to figure out how he got there.”

Authorities are investigating the incident as an assassination attempt,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-vp-vance-rubio-7c7ba6b99b5f38d2d840ed95b2fdc3e5" target="_blank">according to</a>&nbsp;the Associated Press.

President Joe&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/briefs/biden-says-no-place-for-this-kind-of-violence-in-america-after-shooting-at-trump-rally/" target="_blank">Biden condemned the shooting</a>&nbsp;in a brief statement from Delaware. “There’s no place in America for this kind of violence,” Biden said.

“It’s sick, it’s one of the reasons we have to unite this country,” he added. “We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this, we cannot condone this.” Biden said he had tried to contact Trump, and said that the former president was with his doctors and appeared to be doing well.

“FBI personnel are on the scene in Butler County, Pennsylvania and the FBI will continue to work jointly with the U.S. Secret Service as the investigation moves forward,” FBI Pittsburgh Public Affairs Officer Bradford Arick told the Capital-Star in an email.

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Bertha Cazy told the Capital-Star in an email “The Pennsylvania State Police has Troopers on scene assisting the Secret Service in various capacities. All other questions should be directed to the U.S. Secret Service, the agency handling the investigation.”

Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told reporters Saturday “President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”

Gov. Josh Shapiro<a href="https://twitter.com/GovernorShapiro/status/1812257426793738316" target="_blank">&nbsp;said on social media</a>&nbsp;he had been briefed on the situation and that Pennsylvania State Police were on the scene working with federal and local partners. “Violence targeted at any political party or political leaders is absolutely unacceptable,” Shapiro wrote. “It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States.”

GOP U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick, who spoke at the rally before Trump, told Fox News there were a number of shots, and Secret Service agents attended to Trump. He said it was hard to tell where the shots came from, but that he heard seven or eight shots.

“And then, sadly, someone behind me, up in the bleachers was definitely wounded, and there was a lot of blood. And, you know, the police came in and helped carry that person out of the stands so they could get the care they needed. I’m not sure if others were injured or not, if at all, ” he said, describing the scene as “very chaotic.”

McCormick said he was sitting in the front row to Trump’s right as he was facing the crowd. “I couldn’t tell whether it was one gun or two, but there were seven or eight shots, just one right, one right after another.”

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey said he was monitoring the situation at the rally and had reached out to State Police to offer support. “Political violence is never acceptable and I am hoping former President Trump and all attendees are safe. Everyone in Butler should listen to law enforcement,” Casey&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SenBobCasey/status/1812257220215611733" target="_blank">posted to social media</a>.

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, who also spoke at the rally, called the shooting an “attack from the left,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/100057842691090/posts/pfbid02JjiGGCvn5CK7sHtfpA8tz5gdUYHxPXw19e1B5iVKxhV1zfYW2Wxox1ZQvctJLuLul/?app=fbl" target="_blank">in a Facebook post,</a>&nbsp;adding that he and his family were safe “and we are praying for Mr. Trump and everyone involved.”

Speakers at the event ahead of Trump included representatives from the oil and gas industries, the mayor of Slippery Rock, and Sean Parnell, a&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/briefs/trump-endorsed-u-s-senate-candidate-sean-parnell-loses-custody-battle/" target="_blank">former GOP candidate for U.S. Senate</a>&nbsp;who received Trump’s endorsement, but suspended his campaign in 2021 after his then-wife testified he had abused her and their children.

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser who took the stage to AC-DC’s “Thunderstruck” told the audience Trump “will deliver on his promises. Our border will be secure. He will end the gas backwards energy policy of the Biden administration and in Pennsylvania, natural gas will flow again. We will make manufacturing great again by being the most competitive place in the world to build things.”

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-16th District), whose district includes Butler, pointed to Biden’s debate performance as evidence that “the media has been lying to us” about the president’s health.

“Have you ever heard the term ‘playing through the whistle?’ Playing it through the whistle means you keep on playing, you keep on doing what you have to do to win,” Kelly said. “You keep on going to make sure you don’t lose. But I want to give you a different version: We’d better play it through the echo of the whistle. Playing through the whistle isn’t enough, not with this crew that we’re fighting against right now.”

GOP U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick, who is challenging three-term incumbent Bob Casey, reiterated his claims that Casey votes with Biden 98% of the time.&nbsp; “I like to say Punxsutawney, because it reminds me of Punxsutawney, Bob, Bob Casey, that is who only comes out of his hole once every six years,” McCormick said.

“The lack of leadership, lack of moral clarity, an economy where 60% of Pennsylvanians are living paycheck to paycheck, and prices are up by more than 20% and is the result of the terrible, flawed policies of Joe Biden, the spending Bob Casey supported it every step of the way,” he added.

McCormick repeated another familiar highlight of his campaign stump speech, pointing to the fentanyl crisis. “For those of you who are Vietnam vets, we lost 53,000 veterans in eight years of war. We had two Vietnams last year in the United States from fentanyl,” he said. “This is a war against us.”

McCormick also referenced Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was detained in Russia in 2023, and Oakmont resident&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/dc-bureau/family-pleads-for-pa-teacher-imprisoned-in-russia-were-not-forgetting-my-brother/" target="_blank">Marc Fogel, a teacher detained in Russia in 2021</a>. Fogel’s mother said earlier in the week she was going to&nbsp;<a href="https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/mother-of-marc-fogel-requests-to-meet-with-donald-trump-to-free-son-from-russian-prison/" target="_blank">seek Trump’s help in securing her son’s release</a>.

“We need leadership that’s going to stand up and bring Pennsylvanian Mark Fogel home to Pennsylvania, home to America. That’s what leaders do. That’s what a commander in chief does,” McCormick said.

The Democratic National Committee rolled out a billboard in Butler to greet Trump on Saturday that jabs at the former president’s economic record. The billboard, with the words “Donald Trump was a disaster for Pennsylvania,” will be located at the end of the Pullman Viaduct, about 10 minutes away from the Butler Farm Show.

“Pennsylvania voters remember Trump’s failures and know exactly how much is at stake in November,” DNC spokesperson Addy Toevs said in a statement. “That’s why they’ll reject Trump and his Project 2025 agenda, and once again send President Biden to the White House.”

As Trump rallied in western Pennsylvania on Saturday, first lady&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/briefs/jill-biden-coming-to-pittsburgh-on-saturday-to-attend-italian-sons-and-daughters-of-america-dinner/" target="_blank">Jill Biden was also in the region</a>&nbsp;to attend an Italian Sons and Daughters of America dinner in Pittsburgh.

And in the eastern half of the commonwealth, Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/harris-philadelphia-speech-president-biden-asian-pacific-20240709.html" target="_blank">Kamala Harris was in Philadelphia</a>&nbsp;to deliver the keynote address at the Asian Pacific Islander American Vote Presidential Town Hall on Saturday.

Saturday’s appearance in the Keystone State is Trump’s fifth visit to Pennsylvania this year, but his first in the western half of the commonwealth. Trump has made two 2024 appearances in Philadelphia,&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/election-2024/trump-rallies-in-philadelphia-as-2024-campaign-heats-up/" target="_blank">once for a rally</a>&nbsp;on Temple University’s campus, and to deliver brief remarks at&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/campaigns-elections/trump-makes-surprise-appearance-at-sneaker-con-in-philadelphia/" target="_blank">Sneaker Con</a>&nbsp;in February. He also held a rally in the&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/election-2024/trump-returns-to-pennsylvania-with-rally-in-pivotal-lehigh-valley/" target="_blank">Lehigh Valley</a>&nbsp;in April, and delivered a keynote address to a National Rifle Association gathering in&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/campaigns-elections/trump-tells-nra-faithful-in-harrisburg-no-one-will-lay-a-finger-on-your-firearms/" target="_blank">Harrisburg</a>&nbsp;in February.

“Donald Trump can take his twice-impeached, 34-time convicted, vowed-to-be-dictator-on-day-one, consumed by revenge, serial liar, Project 2025 self out of Pennsylvania and go back to his Mar-a-Lago golf course,” Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis said in a statement Saturday. “After he destroyed our economy, screwed over workers, and called for the ‘termination’ of the Constitution written in our state, Pennsylvania voters will send him packing in November. Again.”

Butler is a reliably red county where Trump won by double digits in the 2016 and 2020 general elections. Trump’s rally in Butler a few days before the 2020 presidential election was well-attended, although there&nbsp;<a href="https://triblive.com/local/regional/aftermath-of-trump-rally-in-butler-was-nothing-like-omaha-owner-of-bus-company-says/" target="_blank">were transportation issues for those attempting to exit the rally</a>.

President Joe Biden has also been no stranger to Pennsylvania, making ten appearances the state so far, mostly in the southeast.&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/election-2024/biden-returns-to-battleground-pennsylvania-for-campaign-events-in-philadelphia-and-harrisburg/" target="_blank">Biden campaigned</a>&nbsp;through the state last Sunday, appearing at a traditionally Black church in Northwest Philadelphia, and speaking to supporters in Philadelphia and Harrisburg.

As of Saturday morning, 18 Democrats serving in the U.S. House and one serving in the U.S. Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/joe-biden-2024-race-democrats-who-want-him-to-step-aside/" target="_blank">have called on Biden to not seek</a>&nbsp;the Democratic Party nomination, following his poor debate performance in late June, amid questions about whether he can beat Trump in November.

Biden has repeatedly said he does not plan to drop out of the race, reiterating his position at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-donald-trump-michigan-debate-e0f71b95bc8761b1a39083b1b9af6e1f" target="_blank">rally in Michigan on Friday</a>, where he was greeted with chants of “don’t you quit” and “we got your back,” from a crowd at Renaissance High School in Detroit.

“You made me the nominee, no one else — not the press, not the pundits, not the insiders, not donors,” Biden told the audience. “You, the voters. You decided. No one else. And I’m not going anywhere.”

Pennsylvania Democrats have largely remained behind the Scranton native. Gov. Josh Shapiro, who has been mentioned as a potential candidate for president or vice president should Biden step aside, has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/josh-shapiro-joe-biden-campaign-20240711.html?cx_testId=13&amp;cx_testVariant=cx_1&amp;cx_artPos=1&amp;cx_experienceId=EXTE1CRHS6Q4&amp;cx_experienceActionId=showRecommendationsGSGLLTF5DXM2DAT#cxrecs_s" target="_blank">remained committed to Biden’s 2024 bid</a>. U.S. Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/john-fetterman-defending-joe-biden-20240711.html?oref=cspa_firstread_nl&amp;utm_source=Sailthru&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=First%20Read%20PA%20-%20July%2012%2C%202024&amp;utm_term=newsletter_cspa_firstread#loaded" target="_blank">John Fetterman</a>&nbsp;(D-Pa.) has also emerged as a key campaign surrogate for Biden.

<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/bob-casey-biden-battleground-senate-democrats-pennsylvania-rcna160748" target="_blank">U.S. Sen. Bob Casey</a>&nbsp;(D-Pa.), who is seeking a fourth term in office, has also stood by Biden’s side, while other Democrats in battleground states have distanced themselves from him. On Friday, speaking to reporters after an event in Darlington Township, Beaver County, Casey reiterated his support for Biden, saying it had not changed.

“I think we’re going to have a unified party between now and November,” Casey said. “This is a difficult period, but we’ll get there. But you know where I stand.”

McCormick has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2024/07/dave-mccormick-ramps-up-attacks-says-no-doubt-sen-casey-saw-bidens-decline.html" target="_blank">blasted the three-term senator for continuing to support Biden</a>. His campaign put up billboards in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton this week reading “Same old tired ideas,” with photos of the two Democrats.

In response to a question about whether he was worried about Biden being a potential drag on his Senate race and other down ballot races on Friday, Casey answered with a firm “no.”

Pennsylvania U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-17th District) who also spoke at the event in Darlington with Casey, urged people to “Google Project 2025, and what Donald Trump expects to do if he becomes president, again. It is dangerous,” he said. “It is threatening to our freedom and the fundamentals of our rule of law in this country. “

Deluzio added that he thinks Democrats will unite to “make sure Trump is never the president of this country again.”

However, U.S. Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/briefs/susan-wild-pennsylvania-expressed-concern-biden-electability-during-call-house-democrats/" target="_blank">Susan Wild (D-7th District) has expressed concern</a>&nbsp;about Biden’s “electability” and U.S. Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wesa.fm/politics-government/2024-07-03/summer-lee-biden-kamala-harris-fallback" target="_blank">Summer Lee (D-12th District) has said Biden needs to show</a>&nbsp;“that he’s up for the task” of staying in the race.

Lee, who was scheduled to attend a Pittsburgh rally for Biden with Allegheny County Democrats on Friday but did not appear due to a schedule conflict, did not answer questions about Biden at an event in Pittsburgh with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. Lee said she would not answer a political question while at an event where she was appearing in her capacity as a member of Congress,&nbsp;<a href="https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/becerra-defends-biden-during-pittsburgh-visit-summer-lee-dodges-question-on-presidents-fitness/" target="_blank">TribLive reported.</a>

Trump, who was convicted of 34 felony counts in a New York courtroom in May, largely has united the Pennsylvania Republican Party behind his candidacy. With the exception of U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-1st District), every GOP member of the state’s congressional delegation has endorsed Trump;&nbsp; Fitzpatrick has not announced who he will be voting for in November. The only Republican in Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation to represent a district Biden won in 2020, Fitzpatrick said he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/politics/presidential/Trumps-turbulent-two-weeks-exhausting-PA-NJ-Republicans-threatening-agenda.html" target="_blank">wrote in Mike Pence</a>&nbsp;for president in 2016, but&nbsp;<a href="https://levittownnow.com/2020/12/12/congressman-largely-silent-on-election-outcome/" target="_blank">voted for Trump in 2020</a>.

Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes are critical to the candidates’ chances of winning in November. Biden campaign chair&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/biden-campaign-names-wisconsin-pennsylvania-and-michigan-as-clearest-pathway-to-white-house" target="_blank">Jen O’Malley Dillon sent a memo to supporters</a>&nbsp;listing Pennsylvania as one of the three “blue wall” states that provide the campaign the “clearest pathway” to reelection.

<a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/pennsylvania/" target="_blank">Recent polling</a>&nbsp;indicates that Biden and Trump are engaged in a close race for Pennsylvania, although Trump holds a narrow edge. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/presidential-race-ratings" target="_blank">Cook Political Report</a>&nbsp;ranks Pennsylvania in the toss-up category. It has the largest number of electoral votes of any battleground state.