The U.S. Secret Service has placed several agents on desk duty after a shocking assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally.
Multiple investigations are underway to understand the security breach that led to the shooting incident on July 13, with the employment action against a handful of agents deepening the controversy, as the Washington Examiner reports.
The assassination attempt occurred as Trump addressed supporters at an event in Butler, Pennsylvania. A gunman, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired eight rounds from a nearby building, striking Trump and several others. Trump was grazed by a bullet, while Corey Comperatore, a former firefighter, tragically lost his life. Two others, David Dutch and James Copenhaver, were also injured but have since been released from the hospital.
In response to the incident, the Secret Service has reassigned several agents to administrative duties. Initial reports suggested that the agents were placed on leave, but this was later clarified. Among those reassigned are one agent from Trump’s protective detail and four from the Pittsburgh field office. The exact number of personnel involved has not been disclosed, adding to the ongoing scrutiny of the agency.
Anthony Guglielmi, the chief of communications for the Secret Service, confirmed the reassignments and emphasized the agency’s commitment to thoroughly investigating the security lapse. “The U.S. Secret Service is committed to investigating the decisions and actions of personnel related to the event in Butler, Pennsylvania and the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump,” Guglielmi stated.
Guglielmi added that the agency is conducting a mission assurance review to examine the processes and procedures that failed during the rally. “The U.S. Secret Service’s mission assurance review is progressing, and we are examining the processes, procedures, and factors that led to this operational failure,” he said.
The Secret Service has come under intense scrutiny following the incident, with questions being raised about how such a significant breach of security could occur. The House Oversight Committee held a hearing on the matter, during which Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned from her position. Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe, who has since taken over, has been cautious in his approach to the situation.
During the hearing, Rowe resisted calls to make hasty judgments regarding the actions of his agents. In response to a question from Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), Rowe remarked, “You’re asking me, senator, to completely make a rush to judgment about somebody failing.” He acknowledged the failure in security but stressed the importance of a thorough investigation. “I will not rush to judgment, that people will be held accountable, and I will do so with integrity,” Rowe added.
As the investigations continue, a bipartisan task force has been established to look into the shooting. Additionally, a parallel investigation is being led by hardline Republicans who are particularly concerned about the implications of the security breach. Both investigations aim to uncover the factors that contributed to the incident and to recommend measures to prevent future occurrences.
Despite the severity of the incident, Trump has continued with his campaign activities. His first outdoor rally following the shooting took place last week in North Carolina, where heightened security measures were evident. Bulletproof glass was installed around the stage as a precautionary measure. However, Trump briefly stepped away from the protective barrier to assist a woman in the crowd who required medical attention, surrounded by his Secret Service detail.
The rally in North Carolina underscored the ongoing challenges the Secret Service faces in protecting high-profile figures like Trump, especially in the aftermath of the Butler incident. The agency’s internal and external reviews will be crucial in determining how to better secure such events in the future.
In the meantime, the Secret Service continues its internal review while the public and political pressure mounts. The outcome of these investigations will likely have significant implications for the agency and its leadership.
As the situation unfolds, the reassigned agents remain on desk duty, awaiting the results of the investigation. The Secret Service has made it clear that any identified violations of policy will be addressed by the Office of Professional Responsibility. “The U.S. Secret Service holds our personnel to the highest professional standards,” Guglielmi emphasized, “and any identified and substantiated violations of policy will be investigated for potential disciplinary action.”
