An independent panel tasked by President Biden with reviewing the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania found deep flaws within the Secret Service that enabled the attack. The panel called for fundamental reforms within the agency to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The panel identified numerous mistakes and systemic issues within the Secret Service that must be addressed urgently to ensure the protection of government officials worldwide.
The panel dedicated its work to the victims of the attack and their families and called for a reform of the Secret Service in order to fully carry out its mission. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said that the department will consider the panel’s recommendations and take actions to advance the Secret Service’s protection mission. The agency has already taken steps to improve readiness, communication, and protective operations for individuals under its protection.
The panel identified six key failures related to the attack at the July 13 rally, including issues with securing the AGR building, communication problems, and a failure to detect the shooter who was spotted hours before the shooting. The report also highlighted systemic issues within the Secret Service, such as a lack of clarity over security ownership and a troubling lack of critical thinking among employees. The report called for new leadership outside the agency and a re-focusing on the core protective mission of the Secret Service.
The independent review panel sharply criticized the Secret Service for its failures leading up to and during the assassination attempt. The panel highlighted complacency among employees and the need for outside leadership to bring fresh thinking and culture to the agency. The report emphasized the need for reflection within the agency to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The panel called for a complete overhaul of the agency’s leadership and a renewed focus on its mission to protect officials.
The panel’s findings were released amid calls from some members of Congress for increases in the Secret Service budget. While more resources may be helpful, the report emphasized that the failures on July 13 would have occurred regardless of budget levels. The panel conducted interviews with Secret Service employees and law enforcement officials as part of its investigation into the attack. The release of the findings comes as the Secret Service continues to face scrutiny over its ability to protect top officials.
The assassination attempt at Trump’s rally in Butler prompted a review of the Secret Service’s security procedures and led to the resignation of the agency’s head at the time. The recent arrest of an armed individual near Trump’s golf club in Florida has raised concerns about the agency’s ability to protect top officials. The Secret Service has increased protection for major presidential and vice presidential candidates in response to these incidents.
