A failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump has raised serious questions about the Secret Service’s security protocols and response. The agency is under scrutiny for a series of security failures that allowed a shooter to get close to Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
According to reports, the shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, scaled a building hundreds of feet away from the stage where Trump was standing. Despite one Secret Service agent spotting and confronting Crooks before he began firing, the shooter was able to graze Trump’s ear with a bullet.
President Joe Biden has announced an independent investigation and comprehensive review of the Secret Service’s security measures. “I’ve directed an independent review of the security at yesterday’s rally to assess exactly what happened,” Biden said. “We’ll share the results of that independent review with the American people.”
The Secret Service has denied reports that it denied a request from Trump’s campaign team to increase the number of agents attached to him. However, congressional Republicans are demanding answers about how the shooter was able to get so close to the stage.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has vowed to open an investigation into the security breach and questioned what kind of technology was used to establish the perimeter at Trump’s event. House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY) has also sent a letter to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle requesting she appear before Congress to answer questions about the breakdown.
As questions swirl about the effectiveness of Saturday’s security, the Secret Service director is being pressed to ensure that future failures don’t result in a worse outcome. The agency is also reviewing all security measures for the upcoming Republican National Convention, which is scheduled to begin Monday.
Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey B. Norman expressed confidence in the security measures his office has in place for the RNC, saying that the local police department has worked closely with the community to ensure the safety of the event. However, the Secret Service has refused to expand the security perimeter or make any changes to its plans following the attempted assassination.
