A new Secret Service report released on Friday revealed details about the July assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania. The report highlighted that multiple Secret Service staffers were aware of clear line-of-sight risks posed by nearby buildings but deemed them “acceptable.” Despite plans to use farm equipment to obstruct the view from the nearby building where the gunman opened fire, the equipment was never utilized. The classified version of the report was shared with members of Congress, while a seven-page unclassified synopsis was released to the public.
The report criticized the Secret Service for failing to address line-of-sight risks, which allowed the gunman, Thomas Crooks, to climb onto a nearby building and fire eight shots. The failure to eliminate these risks was attributed to multiple personnel mistakenly assessing the situation as acceptable. Additionally, supervisors had expected farm equipment to be used to obstruct the view between the buildings and the stage, but the equipment was not deployed. Communication breakdowns between the Secret Service and local law enforcement added to the challenges faced during the event, as key information was not effectively communicated.
The internal review highlighted issues with the Security Room set up for the event, with only the Pennsylvania State Police having a presence there. This lack of coordination and staffing according to Secret Service methodology further contributed to the mission failure. The report also noted that a failure to pick up a radio offered by local law enforcement impaired communication, leaving key personnel unaware of critical information leading up to the attempted assassination. The high temperatures that day and the need to assist rallygoers dealing with the effects of the heat diverted the attention of security personnel, further complicating the situation.
The report did not specify whether any Secret Service personnel had been fired or reprimanded in connection with the incident. It suggested that some staffers might face corrective counseling or disciplinary action based on their performance. The agency’s Office of Integrity will review the findings to determine accountability for those found to have violated agency policy. At least five Secret Service agents have been placed on modified duty, and the former director, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned following the shooting, taking full responsibility for the lapse in security.
The report sheds light on the failures and challenges faced by the Secret Service during the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The agency’s performance in protecting top U.S. leaders has been scrutinized, with various investigations highlighting poor communication, lack of coordination, and failure to address security risks. The findings of the report underscore the need for accountability within the Secret Service and a thorough review of policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Efforts to improve communication, enhance coordination with local law enforcement, and address potential risks are essential to ensuring the safety of high-profile individuals at public events.
