A Senate report has revealed significant lapses in the Secret Service's response to the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Trump, highlighting a lack of coordination with local law enforcement agencies and insufficient resources.
A Senate report has exposed glaring deficiencies in the Secret Service's handling of the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Trump, held in Butler, Pennsylvania. The report points to a breakdown in communication and coordination between the Secret Service and local law enforcement agencies, which allowed 20-year-old Thomas Crooks to position himself on a nearby rooftop and open fire on Trump's rally.
The hearing before the House Trump Assassination Attempt Task Force featured testimonies from local law enforcement officials, the medical examiner who performed Crooks' autopsy, and a retired Secret Service agent. Sgt. Edward Lenz of the Adams Township Police Department testified that his team was not requested by the Secret Service to secure the area surrounding the rally site or deploy a sniper team on the roof of the AGR building where the shooter was located.
Senate Report Exposes Secret Service Failures in Trump Assassination Attempt
According to Lenz, although Butler County snipers were inside the AGR building, they could not see the shooter from the roof. However, a member of the quick response force noticed suspicious individuals in the area, and a Beaver County sniper captured images of Crooks using a range finder pointed towards the stage. This information was conveyed to the Pennsylvania State Police, but it was not acted upon in a timely manner.
As the situation unfolded, an operator with Butler County ESU noticed shots coming from the roof of the AGR building. He quickly identified the shooter and fired a round at Crooks, causing him to recoil and momentarily fall out of sight. This occurred within seconds of the initial gunfire.
Senate Report Exposes Secret Service Failures in Trump Assassination Attempt
However, the fatal shot that neutralized Crooks was fired by a Secret Service counter sniper, approximately 15.5 seconds after Crooks began shooting. The FBI had initially stated that the local officer's round did not hit Crooks or his rifle.
Witnesses during the hearing largely suggested that the Secret Service's lack of guidance to local agencies contributed to the security failures. Task Force Chairman Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Penn., questioned why President Trump was allowed to continue speaking on the platform after suspicious individuals were observed in the vicinity.
Senate Report Exposes Secret Service Failures in Trump Assassination Attempt
The Secret Service has taken responsibility for the failures on July 13, acknowledging the need for improvements. Acting Director Ronald Rowe welcomed the provision of additional funding from Congress for enhanced security measures.
The assassination attempt raised concerns about the Secret Service's capacity to fulfill its mission of protecting the President. FBI Director Christopher Wray testified that Crooks had been at the rally site for approximately 70 minutes before the shooting, highlighting the difficulty in detecting potential threats.
Senate Report Exposes Secret Service Failures in Trump Assassination Attempt
The Senate report has prompted calls for a review of Secret Service protocols and procedures. It underscores the importance of effective collaboration between the Secret Service and local law enforcement agencies, as well as the need for adequate resources to meet the evolving security challenges faced by the President.
The findings of the report are expected to inform future decision-making and resource allocation for the Secret Service, with the ultimate goal of preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Senate Report Exposes Secret Service Failures in Trump Assassination Attempt
