EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., a former Navy SEAL, has raised concerns regarding the lack of relevant experience among the members of the bipartisan House task force assigned to investigate the attempted assassination of former President Trump.
“I reached out to the Speaker and offered my assistance, reminding him that I am…one of the snipers in Congress. There are only three of us. This isn’t about me,” Crane shared with Fox News Digital during an interview.
“I believe the three of us are myself, [Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., and Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas]. Including even one of us on that committee would have demonstrated an intention to incorporate a diverse range of experiences. Unfortunately, that did not occur.”
Crane emphasized that the details surrounding the shooting—where a 20-year-old assailant used an AR-style rifle to fire at Trump from a distance of 400 to 500 feet, ultimately being taken down by a Secret Service sniper—highlight the necessity of someone with his background.
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Rep. Eli Crane discussed the bipartisan House task force investigating the Trump assassination attempt with Fox News Digital (Getty Images)
“As a former Navy SEAL sniper, specifically classified as a NSW, Naval Special Warfare sniper, I completed sniper school in 2009 and attended several advanced sniper training sessions. My expertise is critical because, evidently…the person accused of attacking the president had undergone training before his attempt,” Crane explained.
“In this scenario, you’re dealing with counter sniper teams and the preparatory work involved, along with understanding angles, trajectories, and various essential aspects that snipers must master. It makes sense that for this particular case, individuals with such backgrounds and experience would be valuable to the task force.”
The task force, comprising six Democrats and seven Republicans, was announced by Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., following a unanimous vote in the House to establish it.
Crane and Mills intend to initiate a separate investigation to address perceived deficiencies in the current task force, Mills stated on X Monday.
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Rep. Cory Mills announced his desire to initiate a parallel investigation. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“I wish the Task Force members success, but I believe it’s time for an independent alternative investigation utilizing subject matter experts (SMEs) and whistleblowers who have already come forward,” Mills stated, noting that he and Crane have made contact with individuals in these groups.
The current task force is chaired by Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., whose district encompasses the shooting site, and Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., a retired Army Ranger with combat experience from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The panel also includes several other veterans such as Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., along with legal experts like Crow, who is a lawyer, and Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., a former assistant district attorney.
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Both Mills and Crane, however, have suggested that political motivations influenced House leaders’ selections for the task force.
“It seems evident that many of the most qualified individuals were overlooked. As is often the case in Washington, political considerations played a significant role in the creation of that task force,” Crane remarked.
He noted that “several” other “quite capable” lawmakers share their concerns.
Jeffries, Johnson, Kelly, and Crow have all asserted their commitment to ensuring the investigation remains free of political interference. Earlier this week, Crow expressed to Fox News Digital that the investigation would be “thorough and serious.”
Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are spearheading the task force’s assembly in a bipartisan manner. (Getty Images)
When Fox News Digital reached out for comment, Jeffries’ office declined to respond, while Johnson’s office did not provide a reply.
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When asked if he had concerns that launching their own GOP-led investigation might be perceived as a political maneuver, Crane expressed, “I’m not particularly worried about that, but it is a possibility.”
Nonetheless, Waltz, a panel member, conveyed to Fox News Digital that he doesn’t view either investigation as politicizing the other.
“If we can involve individuals like Representative Cory Mills, who I intend to seek guidance from due to his sniper expertise, along with Representative Eli Crane, a former Navy SEAL sniper, we should utilize their skills,” Waltz emphasized. “Including external experts from their networks would be beneficial—it’s an inclusive approach, and having multiple perspectives examining the situation will only enhance the investigation.”
