Federal agents knew there was a threat to former President Donald Trump’s life just 10 minutes before he took the stage at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Despite this knowledge, they allowed him to proceed with the event, and the shooter was even identified an hour beforehand. Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, attempted to assassinate Trump on July 13, grazing his ear and narrowly missing a fatal headshot.
The Secret Service has come under intense scrutiny for the glaring security lapses during the attack. One major failure was the lack of security on a rooftop with a clear view of the stage, just 200 yards away.
Sniper teams were stationed inside the building, but it was already too late. Crooks opened fire, and the Secret Service’s sniper teams had spotted him two minutes before he fired the first shot.
In an effort to explain the breach, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle claimed that no personnel were stationed on the roof because it was sloped. This statement was met with widespread skepticism and ridicule, particularly since the location had been identified as a security vulnerability before the rally.
Crooks’ parents had also called authorities about their son’s erratic behavior on the day of the attack.
Crooks had scouted out the area days before the rally, further raising questions about the Secret Service’s preparation and response. The agency’s performance has been heavily criticized, with some calling for increased accountability and reforms.
