Staff Reports
The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, has sent shockwaves through the nation and exposed glaring failures in our federal security apparatus. As details continue to emerge, it’s clear that this was not just a random act of violence, but a preventable tragedy resulting from bureaucratic mismanagement and a lack of vigilance from those tasked with protecting our leaders.
The attack, carried out by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who fired on Trump from a rooftop with an AR–15–style rifle, left one audience member dead and several others wounded, including the former President himself. Crooks was ultimately killed by law enforcement, but not before he managed to breach multiple layers of security. The FBI and a bipartisan congressional task force have since confirmed that numerous warning signs were missed and that the Secret Service, along with local law enforcement, failed to adequately secure the rally site despite clear risks and prior knowledge of potential threats.
What’s particularly disturbing is the level of planning Crooks undertook, including surveillance of the rally site, use of drones, and the accumulation of firearms and explosive materials. Despite these red flags, federal agencies failed to connect the dots. Crooks’ digital footprint—searching for information on past assassinations, mass shootings, and even rally dates—should have triggered alarms. Yet, the bureaucratic machinery either moved too slowly or was paralyzed by its red tape, leaving the former President and thousands of Americans exposed to mortal danger.
This incident underscores a recurring theme: government agencies, especially under current leadership, are more interested in covering their failures than in learning from them. The congressional task force’s findings are unequivocal—this attack was preventable. Yet, instead of accountability, we see finger-pointing and stonewalling. The American people deserve better. Our leaders, regardless of political party, must be protected with the utmost seriousness, not subjected to the consequences of bureaucratic incompetence.
As we reflect on this near-tragedy, Americans must demand reform and accountability from our security agencies. The safety of our leaders and the integrity of our democratic process depend on it. We cannot allow political correctness, bureaucratic inertia, or a lack of common sense to endanger our republic. The Butler incident should serve as a wake-up call: it’s time to put the safety of the American people—and those who represent them—above all else.
