Staff Reports
A newly released Senate investigation delivers a loud and clear message about what happened during the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t a well-oiled machine that failed to protect one of the nation’s most prominent figures; instead, it was the Secret Service floundering like a fish out of water. The report, drawing bipartisan ire, outlines a laundry list of failures that paved the way for this horrific incident. It makes one wonder if the agency should spend less time drinking coffee and more time protecting their client.
Despite being aware of heightened threats against Trump, including dispatching a sniper for the first time, the Secret Service operatives on the ground were blissfully ignorant of the very real dangers unfolding around them. In a scenario that seems ripped straight from a bad action movie, there was a perfect storm of poor planning, communication breakdowns, and equipment snafus—all playing out as an attempted assassination was underway. One could imagine the frustration experienced by moderate-right Americans watching this bureaucratic comedy unfold.
Secret Service Failures Before Trump Rally Shooting Were ‘Preventable,’ Senate Panel Finds. Willful negligence?https://t.co/K1TDok8y0t
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) September 25, 2024
The Senate committee’s report opened the can of worms further by revealing that local law enforcement had flagged the potential shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, before the attempts were made. Yet, even with this heads-up, the Secret Service remained paralyzed by their ineptitude. While civilians and local officers raised alarms and urged the agents to safeguard the rooftop where Crooks was aiming, the Secret Service acted like they were stuck in molasses, somehow allowing the situation to spiral out of control.
An untrained Secret Service drone operator fumbling around as a drone operator while an active threat was detected is just the cherry on top of this tragic sundae. The level of incompetence displayed is staggering. Crooks flew a drone capable of measuring the distance to his target and made his lethal devices conveniently close enough for a handy delivery. All while, according to the report, a Secret Service sniper stood by, likely contemplating the next episode of his favorite TV show rather than raising the alarm.
To make matters more ludicrous, just before shots rang out, a counter-sniper saw local law enforcement rushing in with weapons drawn and decided it was best to keep the info to himself. Apparently, informing the protective detail that their principal was about to be targeted didn’t “cross his mind.” If that doesn’t leave you questioning the agency’s priorities, nothing will. The Secret Service has swiftly pivoted to blame its shortcomings, asking Congress for a few extra bucks for competency training rather than scrutinizing its current leadership and operational strategies. One can only hope the funds go towards intelligence instead of more tech toys for the drone operators.
