A preliminary report into the assassination attempt on former President Trump reveals serious failures by the Secret Service, including a lack of awareness about credible threats to Trump's life.
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Secret Service Failures Revealed in Inquiry into Trump Assassination Attempt
A preliminary report released by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has exposed alarming failures within the Secret Service in handling the assassination attempt on former President Trump on July 13, 2023. The report highlights a lack of communication, inadequate threat assessment, and insufficient staffing, putting Trump's life at risk.
Astonishingly, the Secret Service special agent in charge (SAIC) of the Pittsburgh field office was not informed of credible threats to Trump's life ahead of the outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The SAIC noted in handwritten notes that they only learned about the threats after the assassination attempt when they saw it on television.
Secret Service Failures Revealed in Inquiry into Trump Assassination Attempt
Despite "credible intelligence" of a threat, the Secret Service failed to deploy sufficient personnel to protect Trump. The SAIC questioned the decision to use only one part of the Special Operations Divisions to cover the event instead of the entire package.
Secret Service counter snipers had been approved for the event due to credible threats, but many Secret Service personnel interviewed by the committee, including the intelligence advance agent and the SAIC, said they were not made aware of the threat.
Secret Service Failures Revealed in Inquiry into Trump Assassination Attempt
According to the report, only two Secret Service personnel were aware of the credible threat to Trump prior to July 13. One of those personnel was then given classified information about the threat, but not all relevant personnel were informed.
The lead advance agent was informed about the "credible intel" but did not relay this information to the SAIC, despite being asked to do so. Even after learning of the counter sniper assignment, the lead advance agent wrote that no adverse intelligence had been developed.
Secret Service Failures Revealed in Inquiry into Trump Assassination Attempt
Secret Service agents expressed shock and concern that they were not informed about the threat before staffing the rally security. They emphasized the importance of having all relevant intelligence to ensure the safety of protectees.
Secret Service chief of communications Anthony Guglielmi acknowledged the report's findings and stated that the agency is reviewing its mission assurance to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Secret Service Failures Revealed in Inquiry into Trump Assassination Attempt
The committee report recommends that the Secret Service take immediate steps to improve threat assessment, communication, and staffing procedures. These measures are crucial to ensure the safety and protection of former presidents and other high-ranking officials.
The preliminary report reveals a series of serious failures within the Secret Service that put former President Trump's life in danger. The lack of awareness about credible threats, insufficient staffing, and flawed communication demand immediate attention and reform to prevent such incidents from recurring.
