The Secret Service conducted an internal review following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in July. Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe revealed that there were multiple communication issues with law enforcement at the site and a lack of due diligence by the agency. The report detailed the timeline of the shooting, highlighting failures in relaying vital information and providing clear guidance to law enforcement partners on the ground. The review found deficiencies in advance planning and implementation by Secret Service employees, necessitating a shift in protective operations paradigm.
The shooting incident in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire on Trump and others, raised questions about the Secret Service’s security protocols. The agency failed to provide clear guidance and direction to local and state law enforcement partners, leading to miscommunication and siloed information. There were also concerns about the line-of-sight to Trump not being adequately addressed, and complacency among some members of the advance team. The internal review identified deficiencies in advance planning and implementation by Secret Service employees, and steps will be taken to hold individuals accountable.
Following the shooting, the Secret Service released a summary report highlighting communications deficiencies between the agency and local law enforcement assisting at the rally. One instance involved a local tactical team on the second floor of a building that did not have prior contact with the Secret Service. The report also pointed to a lack of detailed knowledge about state and local law enforcement in and around the area. The failure to broadcast the suspect’s description through the radio network inhibited the collective awareness of all Secret Service personnel, impacting the protective detail’s ability to respond effectively.
In a separate incident, law enforcement arrested Ryan Wesley Routh for allegedly attempting to assassinate Trump at his South Florida golf course. Routh was found waiting with a high-powered rifle in the tree line near the golf course, prompting the Secret Service agent to open fire. Officials discovered the rifle, a scope, backpacks, and a camera in the area. The Secret Service confirmed that Trump was not exposed to the suspect and credited the agent for taking swift action to mitigate the threat. Law enforcement are treating the incident as an attempted assassination, and measures have been taken to enhance protection for major presidential candidates.
The House unanimously voted to boost Secret Service protection for all major presidential and vice presidential candidates to be on par with the sitting president in response to the recent incidents. The agency’s resources are stretched thin by the heightened protection levels, and conversations with lawmakers are ongoing regarding a funding boost. The Biden administration has requested special permission to increase Secret Service funding, emphasizing the need to enhance security measures in response to the evolving threat level. Acting Director Rowe assured that Trump’s Secret Service protection is at the highest levels and emphasized the importance of efficiently utilizing finite resources.
