Attorney representing victims of the Trump assassination attempt calls for accountability as Secret Service agents face leave for negligence in failing to prevent the shooting.
**Pittsburgh, July 16, 2023:** The attorney representing the two critically wounded victims of the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Trump has demanded accountability following the placement of Secret Service agents on administrative leave for their alleged negligence. James Copenhaver, 74, and David Dutch, 57, sustained life-altering injuries after being shot twice at the rally.
Joseph Feldman, an attorney at the Law Offices of Max C. Feldman, LLC, expressed satisfaction over the agents' suspension, viewing it as a step towards federal accountability. However, he emphasized that his clients remain in the dark about the details of the security breach.
Trump Assassination Attempt Victims Seek Accountability: Investigating Lax Security
"We're happy to see some accountability. I think this is a step in the right direction for the federal government," Feldman told Fox News Digital.
Five members of the Secret Service, including the special agent in charge, have been placed on administrative leave. This means they are still employed but barred from field operations and investigative work.
Trump Assassination Attempt Victims Seek Accountability: Investigating Lax Security
"It's kind of been these overall blanket of statements coming directly from the top. Not as many statements coming from the actual officers or Secret Service agents involved in the incident itself," Feldman noted. "They could have these agents — maybe they did know what was going on that day, and maybe there were reports … that go up to the top, and they say, 'Hey, don't worry about it.'"
Feldman believes that more information will emerge through internal Homeland Security and external congressional investigations. A potential lawsuit could also compel government officials to disclose the extent of security failures.
Trump Assassination Attempt Victims Seek Accountability: Investigating Lax Security
"It will come to light," Feldman said. "We'll have a better understanding of what happened that day, what led up to it, and how we can prevent something like this from happening again."
The Secret Service is reviewing its processes and procedures to determine what went wrong. Anthony Guglielmi, the USSS chief of communications, stated, "The U.S. Secret Service’s mission assurance review is progressing, and we are examining the processes, procedures and factors that led to this operational failure."
Trump Assassination Attempt Victims Seek Accountability: Investigating Lax Security
The House task force is seeking information from tipsters and whistleblowers to ascertain how 20-year-old gunman Thomas Crooks managed to gain access to the AGR building's rooftop and evade detection.
Crooks was reported as suspicious an hour before the shooting, but it remains unclear how he evaded security. Trump took the stage an hour late, at around 6 p.m. Minutes later, Crooks opened fire, killing Corey Comperatore, a fire chief.
Trump Assassination Attempt Victims Seek Accountability: Investigating Lax Security
Rally attendees reported seeing Crooks on the roof before the gunfire, but it is still unknown how he managed to bypass security measures. An FBI investigation into Crooks' motive and any potential co-conspirators is ongoing.
The victims' attorney, Feldman, highlighted the crucial role of the Secret Service in protecting public figures. "Secret Service isn't there to listen to Donald Trump's speech or his stats on immigration," he emphasized.
Trump Assassination Attempt Victims Seek Accountability: Investigating Lax Security
