A recent report from the Secret Service regarding the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in July has revealed significant lapses in judgment and communication among the agency’s personnel. The internal review underscores that multiple staff members were aware of the clear line-of-sight issues but deemed them “acceptable,” leading to a failure to use farm equipment that was supposed to block the view from a nearby building. This building was where the assailant opened fire on July 13 during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, resulting in the death of one attendee and injuries to two others. Trump himself was struck by a bullet in the ear but was swiftly evacuated from the scene.
The document, released publicly this Friday, highlights a classified report prepared by the Office of Professional Responsibility. While an earlier version of the Secret Service’s investigation was shared in September, this current report demands attention for detailing the agency’s shortcomings in a situation where protecting high-profile U.S. leaders should be paramount. It mirrors findings from other investigations, particularly criticizing the lack of coordination between the Secret Service and local law enforcement that day. Additionally, it points out the agency’s failure to neutralize potential vantage points, allowing the gunman, Thomas Crooks, to fire shots from just 150 yards away.
The review specifically criticized Secret Service operatives for not addressing safety hazards posed by numerous adjacent structures that afforded an unobstructed view of where Trump was to speak. The report notes that Crooks ascended one of these buildings and discharged eight shots before being neutralized by a Secret Service counter-sniper.
One significant oversight was the expected use of large farm machinery meant to obstruct sightlines, which ultimately was not implemented. Although the report does not clarify why these precautions were bypassed, it states that site planners neglected to inform supervisors that the line-of-sight issues remained unresolved.
Additionally, the report elaborated on communication mishaps during the event. Although a security room was established at the rally, it was mismanaged, as only a representative from the Pennsylvania State Police was present, while local emergency services operated separately. The investigation highlighted that the advance team failed to ensure proper staffing and management of this security hub, hampering the flow of vital information that could have contributed to preventive measures during the attempted attack.
Moreover, a significant lack of communication arose when a counter-sniper team failed to utilize a radio provided by local law enforcement, further impairing coordination among the various security entities involved in the protective operations for Trump.
The day’s extreme heat also contributed to the security personnel’s distraction. Over 250 requests for medical assistance were logged, diverting security resources away from crucial protective activities. The findings stated that the “lack of coordination” between the event organizers and emergency teams resulted in a higher-than-anticipated number of security staff attending to medical issues rather than focusing on protection protocol.
As for accountability measures, the report did not specify if any Secret Service employees faced dismissals or formal reprimands. However, it did indicate that some individuals might require “corrective counseling” or “disciplinary action.” The agency has committed to ensuring that those who violated operational protocols are held accountable. Following the incident, reports have emerged that at least five Secret Service agents have been assigned to modified duties, and the agency’s director at the time, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned in the wake of the shooting, taking responsibility for the security failures.