Donald Trump was shot during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, prompting an investigation into the Secret Service's handling of security.
The Department of Homeland Security's inspector general has opened an investigation into the Secret Service's handling of security for former President Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania over the weekend. The probe will evaluate the agency's process for securing Trump's July 13, 2024, campaign event, during which there was an assassination attempt against the former president.
President Biden has also ordered an independent review of the security at the rally. Questions remain on how the 20-year-old shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, managed to climb on top of a building and open fire at Trump and rally attendees in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Secret Service Faces Scrutiny Over Trump Assassination Attempt
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said in an interview Tuesday that her agency was "solely responsible" for the implementation and execution of security at the event. She told CNN that no assets from the rally were diverted on the day Trump was shot, even though other events in the state also required Secret Service protection.
"At that particular site, we divided up areas of responsibility, but the Secret Service is totally responsible for the design and implementation and the execution of the site," Cheatle said.
Secret Service Faces Scrutiny Over Trump Assassination Attempt
Cheatle, in a separate interview with ABC News, said the agency was aware of the security vulnerabilities presented by the building Crooks took a sniper's position on aiming at Trump.
"That building in particular has a sloped roof at its highest point. And so, you know, there's a safety factor that would be considered there that we wouldn't want to put somebody up on a sloped roof. And so, you know, the decision was made to secure the building, from inside," she said.
Secret Service Faces Scrutiny Over Trump Assassination Attempt
Police snipers returned fire after shots were fired while Trump was speaking at the campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, July 13.
Cheatle's comments about the "sloped roof" have faced scrutiny, with critics on social media calling it a "total BS excuse" that "defies believability."
Secret Service Faces Scrutiny Over Trump Assassination Attempt
Fox News' Chris Pandolfo and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
* Crooks has been charged with attempted homicide and aggravated assault.
* He is being held in the Butler County Jail without bail.
* Trump was not injured in the shooting.
* The rally was held at the Butler County Farm Show Building.
* The Secret Service has been under fire in recent years for several security lapses.
