The Secret Service failed to put proper safeguards in place during an event where former President Donald Trump was shot at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa. Plans were discussed to use cranes, trucks, and flags to obstruct the would-be assassin’s view, but these measures were not implemented effectively. A scathing internal investigation found that Secret Service supervisors did not ensure that the line of sight between the building where the shooter was positioned and the stage where Trump was speaking was blocked. Additionally, the agency never instructed local police to secure the rooftop from which the gunman fired.
The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was perched on a building about 130 yards from the rally stage and had a clear line of sight when he opened fire, killing a rallygoer, injuring two others, and hitting Trump’s ear. Crooks was then killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper. In the aftermath of the shooting, the Secret Service initially claimed that local police were responsible for securing the factory grounds located outside of the rally grounds. The internal investigation revealed a breakdown in communication between federal and local authorities, as the radio room used by Secret Service agents was unable to receive real-time alerts from police stationed outside.
Law enforcement had spotted Crooks nearly an hour before he took his shot, using a rangefinder and looking at his phone. However, Secret Service agents did not hear local police discussing tracking down Crooks until just 10 minutes before Trump began speaking at the rally. Secret Service acting director Ronald Rowe admitted that the agency must be held accountable for the security breakdowns highlighted in the report. The agency has initiated another review to enhance security measures for the government officials protected by the Secret Service. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle expressed shock and dismay over the security failures at Trump’s rally.
Rowe briefed members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on the findings of the report, with Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) remarking that the American people would be shocked and appalled by the Secret Service’s failures during the assassination attempt on a former president. The investigation highlighted the lack of coordination between federal and local authorities, as well as the broken communication system that prevented timely alerts about potential threats. The report emphasized the need for accountability within the Secret Service and the implementation of improved security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The revelations from the internal investigation shed light on systemic issues within the Secret Service that need to be addressed to protect government officials and the public. The failure to adequately secure the area where Trump was speaking at the rally exposed vulnerabilities that could have had catastrophic consequences. The agency’s response to the shooting raised concerns about its ability to effectively respond to threats in real-time. Moving forward, it is imperative for the Secret Service to improve its coordination with local law enforcement, enhance communication systems, and implement stronger security measures to ensure the safety of those under its protection.
