Biden insists on second debate with Trump, announces independent investigation into assassination attempt

US President Joe Biden said he will hold a second debate with his presidential rival Donald Trump in September, while stressing his confidence in the Secret Service, which is under pressure due to the recent assassination attempt on Trump.

Biden confirmed in an interview with the American NBC network yesterday, Monday: "I will debate him (meaning Trump) at the time we agreed to debate in September."

Some Democratic lawmakers and officials have recently called for Biden to withdraw his candidacy in the upcoming elections, given his "poor and faltering" performance in the first debate between him and Trump in Atlanta in June.

These calls escalated after a series of gaffes, including referring to his Vice President Kamala Harris as “President Trump” and introducing his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky as “President Putin.”

However, Biden stressed his determination to continue the electoral race, trying to reassure his supporters about his mental and health fitness for a second term.

Investigation into Trump assassination attempt

On another note, Biden said he feels "safe with the Secret Service," amid criticism and pressure the agency is facing.

"The question is: Did they have to see what happened? That's an open question," Biden said in an interview with NBC on Monday, referring to the shooting of Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Sunday.

The Secret Service is the agency responsible for protecting VIPs in the United States.

"The Secret Service will work with federal and state agencies to understand what happened, how it happened, and how to prevent an incident like this from happening again," said Secret Service Director Kimberly Shettle.

The announcement of cooperation with the independent investigation comes as the Secret Service is under increasing pressure over the incident.

Biden ordered a full investigation and review of the security measures taken during the election rally, in addition to strengthening security measures and providing protection for the rest of the candidates.

On Sunday morning, former US President Donald Trump was subjected to an assassination attempt, in which he was shot while giving a speech at an election rally in Pennsylvania.