Staff Reports
Senator Josh Hawley is waving his red flag once again, this time drawing attention to a monumental security lapse by the U.S. Secret Service that could have serious implications for public safety and Trump supporters. Whistleblower allegations indicate that the Secret Service turned down repeated offers from local law enforcement to deploy drones to provide extra eyes in the sky during a rally for former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Instead of taking advantage of readily available technology, the agency seems to have preferred to wing it, resulting in a near-fatal scenario when a gunman attempted to assassinate Trump.
In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Hawley laid out the claims and demanded to know why the Secret Service opted to ignore the advanced surveillance help right before the rally. FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed that not only had this drone technology been available, but it had been used by the shooter to scout the area beforehand. Rather than taking a proactive approach to security, the Secret Service’s inaction forced Trump’s team to react only after the crisis unfolded—classic bureaucratic blundering at its finest.
🚨🚨 NEW – Whistleblower tells me local law enforcement partners & suppliers offered drones to Secret Service BEFORE the rally – but Secret Service declined pic.twitter.com/UM0jfrMc9z
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) July 25, 2024
This did not just put Trump’s life on the line; it also resulted in the tragic death of a brave former firefighter named Corey Comperatore, who gave his life trying to protect his family. Not exactly a shining example of government efficiency when the agency responsible for safeguarding the life of a former president didn’t consider using the tools at their disposal. As Hawley pointed out, the drones could have identified would-be assassins and possibly neutralized them before any shots were fired. One can’t help but wonder what kind of risk-assessment training these people have—or if they even bother to do any.
In his quest for accountability, Hawley is pushing for the “Trump Assassination Attempt Transparency Act,” which would mandate the declassification of crucial information related to the shooting. He rightly argues that the American public deserves to know the full story without being stonewalled by those who prefer the cover of secrecy. At its heart, this legislation seeks to ensure that the government can’t hide behind the “classified” tag to dodge tough questions. It’s high time for transparency when it comes to vital issues of national security.
🚨BREAKING: Secret Service Declined Drones From Local Law Enforcement For Trump Rally. Senator Josh Hawley uncovers a critical security lapse. Click here for the shocking details: https://t.co/T9gpXNA8IE
— Patriot911 (@Patriot911News) July 25, 2024
The fallout has already led to the resignation of Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle, who stepped down following bipartisan outrage directed at her during testimony before the House Oversight Committee. This scenario has many asking whether it is time for a thorough re-evaluation of how intelligence agencies operate and communicate—especially when it pertains to protecting the lives of individuals in high-stakes positions like the presidency. With Trump’s safety hanging in the balance, perhaps it’s time to rethink how government agencies prioritize public safety over their oh-so-delicate bureaucratic procedures.
