Secret Service Criticized for Trump's Security Failures
A Senate hearing revealed critical security lapses that nearly led to the assassination of former President Trump. Both local and federal agencies faced scrutiny.
Published July 31, 2024 - 00:07am
The recent hearings before Senate committees have highlighted significant communication failures and security lapses that nearly resulted in the assassination of former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The FBI and the Secret Service testified about the events, revealing a series of missteps and failures at multiple levels of law enforcement.
Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe and FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate provided detailed testimonies at the Senate Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees, marking a stark contrast to previous testimonies. Despite some heated exchanges, the information presented was exhaustive, aiming to identify the key issues that allowed 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks to fire shots at Trump and rally attendees with an AR-15 from a nearby building's roof.
Rowe expressed his deep regrets, admitting that local and federal law enforcement agencies failed to communicate effectively. He revealed that Secret Service counter-sniper teams and Trump's security detail were unaware of the armed assailant's presence until gunshots were heard. Reports about a suspicious person were received by the Secret Service roughly 25 minutes before the shooting but failed to convey the immediate threat of a firearm.
Sen. Mike Lee criticized the delay in removing Trump from the stage, arguing that sufficient time existed to prevent the former president from being exposed to danger. Rowe explained the lack of immediate threat information, pointing out that multiple reports of suspicious individuals added to the confusion. The critical piece of intelligence about Crooks being armed did not reach the Secret Service in time.
Rowe admitted that the Secret Service had exchanged limited information with Congress and the public shortly after the event, a shortcoming that led to harsh criticism of former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle's previous testimony. Both agencies continue to investigate how Crooks accessed the roof with his rifle. Abbate suggested that the firearm might have been disassembled and carried in a backpack.
Adding to the critique, Rowe acknowledged that local Pennsylvania counter-snipers positioned near the incident site seemingly failed to spot Crooks or left their posts prematurely. He committed to providing further clarifications in writing about these sniper teams' actions.
Senators, including Josh Hawley and Lindsey Graham, voiced dissatisfaction with the lack of accountability within the Secret Service. They demanded that those responsible for major security failures be relieved of their duties to instill a sense of accountability within the agency. Rowe maintained the necessity of thorough investigations before taking disciplinary actions, a stance that met opposition from some senators who believed immediate action was warranted.
Rowe outlined several changes the Secret Service is implementing to prevent future occurrences. These steps include upgrading radio communication systems to ensure connectivity between local and federal law enforcement during such events. In collaboration with the Homeland Security Department, the Secret Service seeks to acquire better connectivity resources, lessening reliance on public domains that compromised communications on the day of the attack.
Rowe also highlighted the need for improvements in protective measures, such as better vetting of event site security plans and expanding drone surveillance capabilities. A malfunction with the Secret Service's counter-drone technology, caused by cellular bandwidth issues, delayed its deployment and prevented early detection of Crooks' drone activity.
FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate shared that ongoing investigations have yet to uncover a clear motive behind Crooks' actions. Newly discovered social media posts linked to Crooks indicate antisemitic and anti-immigration sentiments, with over 700 comments dating back to 2019-2020. However, Abbate noted conflicting views on other social media accounts allegedly linked to Crooks, emphasizing the need for further verification.
The Senate hearings revealed broader concerns regarding the rising threat of political violence in the United States. Democratic Homeland Security Chairman Gary Peters stressed the need for reforms to strengthen the Secret Service's security protocols, a sentiment echoed by both parties. Peters called for timely interviews with agents directly involved in securing the rally, a request that Rowe agreed to fulfill promptly.
Senators debated the communication breakdowns that hindered the effective response to the threat posed by Crooks. Local law enforcement's initial sighting of Crooks with a gun did not reach Secret Service channels until after the shooting had started. This delay in critical information sharing was identified as a major flaw. Efforts to improve coordination between law enforcement agencies are now a priority to prevent future lapses.
Some senators also proposed creating an independent commission to investigate the assassination attempt, emphasizing the need for a nonpartisan group of experts to evaluate the incident thoroughly and ensure comprehensive accountability and reforms.
Acting Director Rowe's testimony highlighted a series of systemic failures and the urgent need for robust protective measures. He assured the Senate that the Secret Service is committed to implementing necessary changes to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future, noting that the agency's reputation and effectiveness depend on these reforms.