A Long Island Republican has unveiled legislation to require congressional staffers to receive active shooter training following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito’s bill would apply to full-time employees of the lower chamber. Under his bill, the House Administration Committee must issue rules for the training protocols within 60 days of its passage.
Members of the lower chamber, officers, part-time employees, and interns would also be able to receive training; however, it would not be required for them. The training would also be available remotely.
Full-time staffers would have until “December 31 of the year in which the session begins” or 60 days after starting as a full-time employee to complete the training under the bill. A former officer in the New York Police Department, D’Esposito has been outspoken about public safety and law enforcement issues since taking office in early 2023. D’Esposito’s bill comes amid heightened security concerns around top politicians following the attempt on Trump’s life during the Butler, Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
Just a day before the assassination attempt on Trump, D’Esposito claimed to have dealt with a bomb threat in his Garden City office. The threat came in the form of a phone call, and his office alerted the proper authorities, according to a spokesperson. “Whether it’s bomb threats to my office or an attempted assassination against President Trump — it’s time for everyone to unite against political violence,” D’Esposito said in an X post earlier this month. The House of Representatives is currently on its August recess and is not scheduled to reconvene until September. Meanwhile, the Senate is set to convene this week before heading off to its August recess.
There are multiple investigations underway into the security failures that led to a bullet grazing past Trump’s right ear and drawing blood during his rally last month. Last week, House leadership announced it was forming a bipartisan task force to look into the matter. President Biden has also called for an independent review, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General has confirmed that it is investigating. Kimberly Cheatle announced her resignation as director of the Secret Service last week.
