Rubio says he trusts FBI agents to probe Trump shooting attempts but notes 'history' of bias from leadership
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he trusts rank-and-file FBI agents to do their jobs as they probe the apparent shooting attempts on former President Trump's life but said it's reasonable to be suspicious of the agency's leadership in light of its "history."
In an interview on CBS News’s “Face the Nation,” moderator Margaret Brennan pressed Rubio on whether he can assure the American public that he trusts the FBI and that the agency is investigating the assassination attempts, despite claims from Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), that they’re not taking them seriously.
"I trust rank-and-file, on-the-field FBI agents to do their job. I don't know what their leadership in some of these agencies and the mid-level will do with it," Rubio said about the probes when asked for the second time, "because you've seen a history in the past of their being biased."
“I hope that's not true,” he added.
When first asked about Vance’s comments questioning the trustworthiness of Vice President “Harris’s Department of Justice” and whether he trusts law enforcement to conduct “a full and impartial investigation,” Rubio said he’s confident that “people on the ground in law enforcement want to do so.”
He noted, however, that there is a "lack of trust in institutions" that makes it critical for law enforcement officials to make information related to the probe available to the public as much and as quickly as possible.
“Look, multiple people in the Federal Bureau of Investigation faced charges or were fired for misconduct in the way they handled issues about Donald Trump just eight years ago,” Rubio said. “So, I think people are rightful to be suspicious and distrusting.”
He pointed to a letter a few years ago from dozens of former intelligence officials who erroneously dismissed the Hunter Biden laptop stories as Russian disinformation, calling that episode “so damaging” to people’s trust.
“This is an example of how these agencies and our institutions work against candidates they don't like."
“It undermines people's trust in our institutions, and that lack of trust is eroded in government, in the media, in our agencies within government,” Rubio said. “That's why disclosure and openness with regards to these investigations is so critical, not just because we want to know. It's because it's important to preserve trust in our institutions. And we're not getting that. More on the second than the first, but you know, but we're not seeing it.”
Date: | |
Tag: | Donald Trump |
Topics
-
The Hill - Politics
Pennsylvania Democrat stresses need for bipartisanship in probe of Trump assassination attempts
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) said Sunday that it is critical for the bipartisan task force investigating the assassination attempts against former President Trump to work swiftly and in a ...3 hours ago - Donald Trump -
Yahoo Sports - Sports
Oscar Robertson recounts time he got a telegram from KKK saying if he played 'they’re going to shoot me'
He played in the collegiate Dixie Classic but faced incredible abuse on the court and a death threat off it.2 days ago -
Yahoo News - World
The Houthis probed Israeli defenses with a ballistic missile, and Iran is likely taking notes
12 hours ago - Iran -
The Hill - Politics
Trump says he will not run in 2028 if he loses in November
Former President Trump said this would be his last presidential campaign and he would not run in 2028 if he loses the race this November. In a Sunday interview on the television show "Full ...2 hours ago - Donald Trump -
ABC News - Top stories
Trump says he won't run again if he loses in November
Former President Donald Trump says "that will be it" if he loses the presidential race.1 hour ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Haberman says Trump 'on edge' after second apparent assassination attempt
Senior political correspondent Maggie Haberman suggested Friday evening that former President Trump is feeling anxious following two assassination threats this election cycle. Her comments came in ...Yesterday - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Ahead of Trump assassination attempt hearing, leaders say security not doing enough
Reps. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) and Jason Crow (D-Colo.) joined ABC’s “This Week” ahead of their hearing Thursday about former President Trump’s assassination attempt. They argued that the Secret Service ...4 hours ago - Donald Trump -
BBC News - Top stories
'I hate Trump, she likes him - we both think he staged assassination attempts'
A pro-Trump wellness influencer and a suburban Democrat share a conspiracy theory - how did it spread so far?10 hours ago
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Johnson rolls out plan B to avert government shutdown
House GOP leaders on Sunday unveiled a plan to keep the government funded for three months after Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) opening gambit to avoid a shutdown failed due to opposition from ...28 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Democrats spend big in Maryland as Hogan keeps race close
Democrats had hoped to put the Maryland Senate race to bed by now. Instead, they are poised to devote time and resources in the deep blue state all the way until November in a bid to keep the seat ...33 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Interim NYPD commissioner says federal agents searched his homes, seized materials
The interim New York City Police Department (NYPD) commissioner said in a statement posted Saturday to the social platform X that federal agents searched his homes and seized materials. “On Friday, ...47 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Harris tops Trump by 5 points nationally: Poll
Vice President Harris is leading former President Trump by 5 points nationally, a new poll found. The survey, conducted by NBC News, found Harris leading with 49 percent support to Trump’s 44 ...1 hour ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Trump says he will not run in 2028 if he loses in November
Former President Trump said this would be his last presidential campaign and he would not run in 2028 if he loses the race this November. In a Sunday interview on the television show "Full ...2 hours ago - Donald Trump