Ron Johnson prepares to issue subpoenas for DOJ, FBI in Butler shooting probe as anniversary nears

Republican Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson approved a subpoena to be sent to the Justice Department (DOJ) and FBI regarding more information on the first assassination attempt against President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania last year. 

The subpoenas will be sent near the anniversary of the shooting, which occurred on July 13. Johnson was part of the Senate's Homeland Security investigation into the assassination attempt last year, but now leads a separate investigation as chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

Johnson told Fox News on Thursday that he approved a subpoena on Wednesday to get more information from the two agencies, but has described the investigative process overall as "maddening," because of the red tape he's experienced so far.

"I'd like our report to be bipartisan, but everybody else seems to have been moving on here and not particularly interested in an investigation. I am," Johnson said. "Whether I have the other officers involved or not, I'm moving forward, which is why I approved a subpoena."

Johnson claimed his investigation is still getting "stonewalled" nearly a year after the incident, and that he needs more documentation and information to move his investigation forward. It is not clear when the subpoenas will go out.

The accusation comes despite FBI Director Kash Patel's promise to provide full transparency in the bureau's investigation into the assassination attempt. 

Republicans have largely criticized the federal government for not holding people accountable for the errors that led to the failed attempt. A 180-page House report last year found "preexisting issues in leadership and training created an environment" in which security failures could occur.

The Secret Service also recently revealed that six agents were suspended without pay or benefits after the shooting, and were placed in restricted duties or given roles with less operational responsibility when they returned.

No Secret Service agents were fired over the assassination attempt but former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned after facing heavy backlash.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.