Authorities in Butler County, Pennsylvania, are facing mounting questions and criticism for their refusal to release the 911 recordings from the rally where former President Donald Trump was injured in an apparent assassination attempt. The lack of transparency has left the public in the dark about crucial details, such as when rally attendees alerted law enforcement to the gunman and how officers coordinated their response once shots were fired.
The Intercept, a news outlet, submitted a request for the 911 recordings under Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law shortly after the shooting. However, the county denied the request, citing a provision in the statute that generally exempts 911 recordings from disclosure. The county’s policy is to release 911 audio only under court order or by subpoena.
Interestingly, Pennsylvania law does provide Butler County with the ability to release the recordings if they determine that the public interest in disclosure outweighs the interest in nondisclosure. The Intercept argued that an attempted assassination of a former president and current presidential candidate should qualify as an overwhelming public interest. However, the county did not respond to this argument or the request to release the recordings under this provision.
Other press outlets attempting to obtain the 911 recordings have also faced obstacles. Melissa Bevan Melewsky, media law counsel for the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, confirmed that they have been given the runaround as well. She emphasized that the carveout in the law is intended for situations where there is a high public interest in the recordings, such as this one.
Attorney Joy Ramsingh, who has previously adjudicated Office of Open Records appeals, expressed her frustration with Butler County’s refusal to address the public’s interest in the recordings. She stated that potential embarrassment to the agency should not be a factor in determining whether to release the recordings. Ramsingh believes that the county should at least provide an explanation to the public for their decision.
The lack of transparency surrounding the 911 recordings from the Trump rally shooting raises concerns about accountability and the public’s right to information. The recordings could potentially shed light on the sequence of events and the actions taken by law enforcement. Given the significant public interest in this case, it is essential for authorities to prioritize transparency and provide a clear rationale for their decision to withhold the recordings.
