According to the Daily Mail, the FBI investigation into the attempted assassination of Donald Trump will focus on potential failures by the Secret Service and others.
Frank Figliuzzi, who served as an FBI agent for 25 years, suggests that communication breakdowns between the Secret Service and local law enforcement could be responsible for the failure to prevent the shooting.
The Secret Service appeared to have primary responsibility within a secured perimeter, while local police managed the broader vicinity. However, the division of responsibilities was not clearly established, contributing to the security failures during the incident.
National Guard soldiers were also present at the event, but their exact role in the security detail is part of the ongoing investigation. Witnesses report an alarmingly slow response to the warnings from the crowd about the gunman’s presence.
The rapid elimination of Thomas Matthew Crooks by a Secret Service sniper suggests a clear line of sight to the shooter, yet there were significant errors in identifying and addressing the threat. It is possible that the Secret Service mistook the gunman for a police sniper.
During his 25 years with the FBI, the retired agent reflected on how countless rallies similar to this one should be meticulously organized. It is standard procedure for the Secret Service to handle security within the immediate area, leaving the job of managing the larger zone to the local police.
Despite these protocols, the apparent lack of coordination on this occasion underlines the necessity of clear identification and communication between different security agencies. Security personnel should be familiar with each other and their respective roles well before the event starts.
The FBI will be scrutinizing witness accounts, CCTV footage, media videos, and amateur recordings gathered from the event. The radio communications between various law enforcement groups will be reviewed to understand the delay in recognizing the threat posed by Crooks.
Questions remain about how Crooks accessed the rooftop and why his presence did not immediately alarm the security staff. The concerns raised by the crowd went unanswered for several critical minutes, exacerbating the risk to Donald Trump.
Former President Trump was swiftly secured and guided behind reinforced barriers by his Secret Service detail. Trump's bodyguards allowed him to retrieve his shoes before evacuation, which runs counter to standard protocol and could have jeopardized his safety further.
After learning that the shooter was neutralized, Trump turned to the audience, punching the air and shouting despite the remaining potential risks. This action, though understandable for its morale-boosting intent, was fraught with danger.
In a split-second decision during the evacuation, Trump’s request to recover his shoes was honored by his bodyguards, a departure from accepted safety procedures. "If necessary, they can hog-tie him and carry him but they should never risk his life by looking for his shoes," a source noted.
The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee will implement heightened security measures following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. The FBI's investigation will address communication failures, threat misidentification, and delayed responses to the shooter. Witness testimonies and analysis of recordings will guide the FBI's efforts to understand lapses and recommend improvements.
