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    Secret Service Lapses Exposed in Investigation of Attempted Assassination at Trump Rally

    Top News 6 Mins Read

    An internal investigation has unveiled significant lapses by Secret Service agents in safeguarding former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The scathing report highlights how agents failed to implement critical security measures that could have obstructed the view of an assassin who ultimately opened fire on Trump from a nearby building.

    In discussions prior to the July 13 event, agents from the Secret Service headquarters and the Pittsburgh field office contemplated deploying cranes, trucks, and flags to obstruct any potential line of sight from the AGR International building to the rally stage. This precaution was aimed at mitigating risks from elevated vantage points. However, officials informed the Washington Post that when Secret Service supervisors arrived on-site, they discovered that the heavy equipment and flags were positioned ineffectively on the Butler Farm Show grounds. The placement did little to impede the direct view between the AGR building and the stage where Trump was speaking.

    The internal probe, commissioned by Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe, is expected to be released next week. It not only criticizes the improper positioning of visual barriers but also uncovers a critical failure to secure the rooftop of the AGR International building. The agency neglected to instruct local law enforcement to patrol or monitor the rooftop, from which 20-year-old gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks launched his assassination attempt.

    Perched approximately 130 yards away, Crooks had an unobstructed line of sight when he fired eight shots toward the stage. The gunfire resulted in the tragic death of a rally attendee, injuries to two others, and a bullet grazing Trump’s ear. A Secret Service counter-sniper subsequently neutralized Crooks, but the damage had been done.

    In the immediate aftermath, the Secret Service deflected responsibility, asserting that local police were accountable for securing areas outside the rally grounds, including the AGR International premises. However, the internal investigation paints a different picture, revealing alarming communication breakdowns between federal agents and local authorities. The report indicates that the Secret Service’s radio room, responsible for monitoring external threats, was incapable of receiving real-time alerts from police stationed outside the venue.

    Further compounding the issue, it was previously reported that law enforcement officers had spotted Crooks using a rangefinder and checking his phone nearly an hour before Trump took the stage. According to the investigation, Secret Service agents were oblivious to local police communications about tracking Crooks. They only received word of a “threat” ten minutes before Trump’s speech commenced, a delay that proved costly.

    Acting Director Rowe acknowledged the agency’s shortcomings in an interview with the Washington Post, emphasizing the need for accountability and systemic improvements. He announced the initiation of another review aimed at enhancing security protocols for the numerous government officials under Secret Service protection.

    On Thursday, Rowe briefed the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on the investigation’s findings. Lawmakers from both parties expressed profound dismay over the security failures. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), chair of the committee’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, voiced his alarm: “I think the American people will be shocked, astonished, and appalled by what we will report to them about the failures of the Secret Service in this assassination attempt of a former president.”

    The report underscores the critical need for robust communication and coordination between federal agencies and local law enforcement. The inability of the Secret Service to integrate local police radio communications into their threat assessment apparatus represents a significant vulnerability. This gap hindered the timely dissemination of crucial information that could have preempted the assassination attempt.

    Moreover, the failure to properly position physical barriers and to secure adjacent high-risk locations like the AGR International rooftop exposed the rally to preventable dangers. These oversights suggest a lapse not only in protocol adherence but also in situational awareness and threat anticipation.

    The assassination attempt by Crooks, who managed to infiltrate a vantage point with a clear shot at the former president, serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threats faced by public figures. The incident highlights the imperative for the Secret Service to reassess and reinforce its protective strategies, ensuring that all potential vulnerabilities are addressed comprehensively.

    As the agency grapples with the fallout from this incident, there is an evident push towards reform and improvement. The forthcoming release of the internal investigation’s findings may prompt broader discussions about security protocols, inter-agency cooperation, and the allocation of responsibilities between federal and local entities.

    In the wake of these revelations, the American public and their representatives await concrete actions that will bolster the safety of those under the Secret Service’s watch. The incident serves as both a cautionary tale and a catalyst for necessary change within the nation’s protective services.

    Major Points:

    • A scathing report exposes significant failures by Secret Service agents in protecting Donald Trump during a July 13 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
    • Agents had discussed using cranes, trucks, and flags to block the view from the AGR International building, but these safeguards were improperly positioned, allowing a clear line of sight for the would-be assassin.
    • The Secret Service did not instruct local police to secure the rooftop from which 20-year-old gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks launched his attack, firing eight shots and injuring several people.
    • The investigation highlights a critical failure in communication between federal agents and local police, with Secret Service agents unaware of local law enforcement tracking the gunman until just 10 minutes before Trump began speaking.
    • Members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee expressed shock over the report’s findings, calling for accountability and improvements in Secret Service security protocols.

    Charles William III – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News

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