Pennsylvania State Representative Aaron Bernstine is criticizing the treatment of local law enforcement in the wake of the Trump assassination attempt, alleging that they have been unfairly blamed for the incident.
Pennsylvania State Representative Aaron Bernstine has spoken out against the criticism directed towards local law enforcement in the aftermath of the assassination attempt on former President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Local Law Enforcement Unfairly Blamed for Trump Assassination Attempt, Says Pennsylvania Lawmaker
According to newly reported transcripts of law enforcement communications at the Trump rally, local and federal law enforcement were essentially isolated from each other at key times due to a flawed communications structure. Spotty cellular service in the rural Allegheny Valley also hindered the transmission of crucial messages, such as a local officer's photo of then-suspicious individual Thomas Crooks.
At 5:42 p.m. ET on July 13, a counter-sniper from a local law enforcement agency reported that a "younger White male [with] long hair" was "lurking" near the AGR glass company building adjacent to the Butler Farm Show grounds. However, this warning went unheard by the U.S. Secret Service because it was transmitted to a separate trailer where local police commanders were operating.
Local Law Enforcement Unfairly Blamed for Trump Assassination Attempt, Says Pennsylvania Lawmaker
The police commander in the trailer then telephoned a Pennsylvania state trooper to relay the message. There were at least three other instances where communications had to be transmitted via cellphone, which was problematic due to the high volume of attendees overwhelming the frequency.
The director of emergency services in neighboring Beaver County, which also provided personnel for the event, emphasized the importance of having all agencies represented in the same location to avoid communication breakdowns.
Local Law Enforcement Unfairly Blamed for Trump Assassination Attempt, Says Pennsylvania Lawmaker
Butler County Sgt. Edward Lenz, commander of the emergency services unit, monitored the radio traffic and notified a state police sergeant after Crooks was observed with a range-finder. The sergeant then relayed the information to Secret Service officials in their separate trailer.
Spotty cell service continued to hinder the investigation of Crooks, as a local law enforcement officer attempted to transmit a photo via phone. A Beaver County sniper later spotted Crooks with a backpack near the AGR glass company building and began moving around within his own building to keep an eye on him.
Local Law Enforcement Unfairly Blamed for Trump Assassination Attempt, Says Pennsylvania Lawmaker
The sniper, Sgt. Greg Nicol, was later praised by Beaver County officials for his exceptional police work. Nicol reported that Crooks "went toward the Sheetz," referring to a nearby gas station.
According to the Post, Crooks may have used an HVAC unit on the far side of the AGR glass complex to access the roof. Various videos show Crooks moving about the roof around that time.
When a police officer was able to peek over the top of the roof, Crooks was seen with his rifle. As Lenz radioed the quick response force about the armed threat, shots rang out.
District Attorney Richard Goldinger has stated that concerns from local officials were ignored by federal agents, leaving locals to establish their command post.
Law enforcement from Butler, Beaver, and Washington Counties reportedly set up their post the morning of the rally, while the Secret Service's command post was located at the rear of the site, away from the stage where Trump was facing. Crook's perch was on the opposite side of the stage.
In response to questions about the Post report, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi stated that the agency is committed to thoroughly investigating the incident and cooperates fully with Congress, the FBI, and other relevant investigations.
