Secret Service Blunders: How Trump Rally Security Crumbled at Butler

Secret Service Blunders: How Trump Rally Security Crumbled at Butler

Folks, it seems the Secret Service has some explaining to do. In a shocking turn of events, the agency tasked with protecting our nation’s leaders dropped the ball harder than a butterfingers wide receiver in the Super Bowl. The recent security breakdown at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has left patriotic Americans scratching their heads and demanding answers. Buckle up, because this story is more important than your morning coffee and just as eye-opening.

The Incident

On July 13, 2023, a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, became the scene of a horrifying security breach. Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old gunman, managed to fire shots from an unsecured roof less than 150 yards from the rally stage. The result? One rallygoer was killed, two others were injured, and former President Trump was grazed by a bullet fragment.

Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. faced intense scrutiny during a Senate hearing, where he admitted to significant security lapses. The most alarming revelation? The Secret Service was completely unaware of the armed man on the roof until shots were fired.

Communication Breakdown

At the heart of this security disaster was a critical communication breakdown between local law enforcement and the Secret Service. This failure highlighted ongoing issues of accountability and responsibility between federal and local authorities.

“I went to the roof of the AGR building where the assailant fired shots and laid in a prone position to evaluate his line of sight. What I saw made me ashamed.”

Rowe’s candid admission underscores the severity of the situation. The fact that such a vantage point was left unsecured is a glaring oversight that cannot be ignored.

Reforms and Investigations

In response to this incident, Rowe has implemented several reforms. These include enhanced event security planning, increased use of drones, better communication resources, and improved cooperation between federal and local counter-snipers.

“To prevent similar lapses from occurring in the future, I directed our personnel to ensure every event site security plan is thoroughly vetted by multiple experienced supervisors before it is implemented.”

An independent panel is currently investigating the security failings, with results expected by early October. Meanwhile, former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned under pressure due to the incident.

Accountability and Responsibility

Despite the severity of the security breach, Rowe faced criticism from lawmakers for not disciplining or terminating agents involved in the security failure. This lack of accountability raises serious questions about the agency’s commitment to addressing its shortcomings.

“As a career law enforcement officer, and a 25-year veteran with the Secret Service, I cannot defend why that roof was not better secured.”

The incident has also brought to light the gunman’s history of posting politically violent, antisemitic, and anti-immigrant sentiments on social media, as testified by FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. This raises further questions about the effectiveness of threat assessment and prevention measures.

Quotes:

  1. “I went to the roof of the AGR building where the assailant fired shots and laid in a prone position to evaluate his line of sight. What I saw made me ashamed.” https://abc30.com/post/acting-secret-service-director-ronald-rowe-testify-before-senate-trump-assassination-attempt/15120500/
  2. “As a career law enforcement officer, and a 25-year veteran with the Secret Service, I cannot defend why that roof was not better secured.” https://abc30.com/post/acting-secret-service-director-ronald-rowe-testify-before-senate-trump-assassination-attempt/15120500/
  3. “To prevent similar lapses from occurring in the future, I directed our personnel to ensure every event site security plan is thoroughly vetted by multiple experienced supervisors before it is implemented.” https://abc30.com/post/acting-secret-service-director-ronald-rowe-testify-before-senate-trump-assassination-attempt/15120500/

Sources

  1. https://www.theblaze.com/news/acting-secret-service-director-admits-no-agent-assigned-to-trump-s-july-13-rally-has-yet-been-fired
  2. https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-fbi-secret-service-a382e3ec081dd13e85eaa9e726cca02c
  3. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/30/us/politics/secret-service-trump-shooting-senate.html
  4. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/secret-service-director-ashamed-trump-assassination-attempt-security-l-rcna164253
  5. https://nypost.com/2024/07/30/us-news/acting-secret-service-chief-ashamed-of-trump-rally-shooting-security-gaps-cannot-defend-shooter-having-roof-access/
  6. https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/trump-shooting-hearing-fbi-secret-service-assassination-attempt-senate/
  7. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/07/30/acting-secret-service-director-says-hes-ashamed-after-the-trump-assassination-attempt/
  8. https://www.secretservice.gov/newsroom/releases/2024/07/statement-us-secret-service-director-kimberly-cheatle
  9. https://apnews.com/article/secret-service-trump-rally-shooting-kimberly-cheatle-fabaf9a0e57d5545e5b60f0b2215778f

Videos:

US SECRET SERVICE DIRECTOR KIMBERLY CHEATLE RESIGNS AFTER TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT | N18G

WATCH: REP. COMER’S OPENING STATEMENT IN SECRET SERVICE HEARING ON ATTEMPTED TRUMP ASSASSINATION

THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF DONALD TRUMP: A 3D RECONSTRUCTION

ACTING SECRET SERVICE CHIEF ‘ASHAMED’ OF TRUMP RALLY SHOOTING SECURITY GAPS

SENATE HEARING LIVE: LOCAL OFFICER SAW CROOKS WITH A FIREARM JUST BEFORE SHOOTING, SAYS FBI | N18G

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