The Secret Service has come under fire from key lawmakers for its failure to use drone technology to prevent assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump, raising serious concerns about the agency’s leadership and preparedness.
In a bipartisan outcry, congressional leaders expressed frustration with the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security over what they called a lack of transparency and cooperation in investigations of these incidents, as Just the News reports.
House Oversight Committee chairman James Comer led the criticism, pointing to the agency’s failure to deploy drones as a key factor in the July 13 attempt on Trump’s life in Butler, Pennsylvania. He emphasized that the problem wasn’t financial, but rather a failure of leadership and management.
Comer made it clear that inadequate funding is not the root of the problem. “They don’t have a money problem,” Comer said. “They have a leadership problem.” He added that fixing the issues within the Secret Service would require more than just a leadership change—it would require a full cultural shift within the agency.
The lawmaker's concerns were echoed by Sen. Ron Johnson, who described the management of the Secret Service as “bad.” Johnson criticized the lack of accountability within the agency, questioning who was responsible for what he described as “spectacular failures” in protecting Trump. The July 13 incident in Butler resulted in Trump being wounded by Thomas Matthew Crooks before the gunman was killed by a Secret Service sniper. Lawmakers, including Comer and Johnson, have since questioned why the Secret Service did not use drone surveillance at the event.
Comer has repeatedly voiced his frustration over the absence of drone technology at critical moments. “One question I had after the first assassination attempt, and I have it double now, is why doesn't the Secret Service employ the use of drones,” he said, referencing the Butler incident. “If large farmers and sporting events use them, why aren't drones flying over campaign events?”
This criticism only grew stronger following a second assassination attempt on Trump, which occurred near his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida. The suspect, Ryan Routh, was able to lie in wait undetected before his arrest. The incident further fueled bipartisan concerns over the Secret Service’s ability to properly protect the former president.
Routh, who has a criminal history that includes gun offenses and hit-and-run charges, is set to face a bond hearing on Sept. 23. His arraignment is expected later this month, pending grand jury proceedings.
The Secret Service has admitted to shortcomings, including not performing a full sweep of Trump’s golf property during the second assassination attempt. However, the agency has promised a full review of the incident. Despite this assurance, many lawmakers are calling for more immediate action.
Democrat Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who is involved in the ongoing investigation, has expressed frustration over the lack of cooperation from the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service. Blumenthal described the agencies' resistance to providing documents and evidence as “almost derelict in its duty.”
Blumenthal’s concerns are shared by Sen. Johnson, who predicted that both the Secret Service and the FBI would resist congressional subpoenas. He argued that these agencies have become accustomed to ignoring congressional oversight, further deepening frustration among lawmakers.
“My guess is the Secret Service and FBI will thumb their nose to the subpoenas,” Johnson said. “These agencies have gotten used to the fact that Congress does not impose its congressional authority over them.”
As the investigation continues, lawmakers are pushing for transparency and accountability. Many believe the public will be shocked by the extent of the failures within the Secret Service once a final report is released next week.
