Secret Service Security Lapses Under Scrutiny After Trump Rally Shooting
Submitted by MAGA
Posted 54 days ago
Secret Service faces scrutiny over security lapses at Trump rally
The Secret Service is facing serious questions about its security measures after a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. The incident has raised concerns about the agency's ability to protect high-profile political figures, including former President Donald Trump.
The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was able to gain access to the rooftop of a nearby building and fire several shots at the rally. One of the bullets struck Trump in the ear, while another killed a bystander and critically wounded two others.
According to sources, the shooting came from the "three o'clock" position of Trump's podium location, with shots coming from his right side. Secret Service counter-assault snipers quickly responded and shot the suspect, who was found on top of the roof.
However, the fact that the shooter was able to obtain rooftop access in relatively close proximity to the rally has raised questions about the size of the security perimeter and efforts to sweep and secure the area. The building where the shooter was located was outside the "hard" security perimeter, which has led to concerns about whether the Secret Service had enough assets to protect Trump and whether procedures were followed to conduct security sweeps of the building.
President Joe Biden has directed Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to review all security measures for the Republican National Convention, which is set to take place this week in Milwaukee. The FBI is now the lead agency investigating the attempted assassination, but the security lapse issue will be for the Department of Homeland Security and USSS, as well as Congress, to look into.
Republican and Democratic lawmakers are already demanding answers from the agency on the security posture and hearings on the incident. House Speaker Mike Johnson vowed a "full investigation" of the shooting, featuring testimony from USSS, DHS, and the FBI. Two Republicans on the Senate Homeland Security Committee have also called for an investigation.
The incident has also raised questions about security at the upcoming Republican convention. Recently, the questions over how the Secret Service and law enforcement would treat those carrying firearms was raised at a press conference explaining the RNC security plan.
The scrutiny comes as the Secret Service has dealt with security lapses in recent months and years. In May 2023, an intruder gained access to the home of Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, despite his round-the-clock Secret Service protection. Sullivan encountered the intruder in his home and alerted his security detail. Sullivan was unharmed.
On January 6, 2021, then-incoming Vice President Kamala Harris was driven by her security detail yards away from a pipe bomb outside the Democratic National Headquarters. She was evacuated after law enforcement discovered the pipe bomb, which was more than 90 minutes after her arrival.
The Secret Service uses intelligence and strategic information to determine security posture. However, the agency is not formally part of the intelligence community and is considered a "consumer" of intelligence, relying heavily on relationships with agencies such as the Director of National Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Intelligence and Analysis.
The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of high-profile political figures, including Trump, who is set to attend the Republican National Convention this week. The Secret Service has announced that it will not be beefing up security for the convention despite the attempt on Trump's life.
The agency has denied rumors circulating on social media that it had denied requests from Trump's team for more security. In a statement, the Secret Service said the detail had been increased recently.
The FBI also pushed back on the implication on Saturday night. "There was no additional request for security that was ever denied by the FBI," Kevin Rojek, the FBI special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh office, said during a news conference.
The incident has highlighted the need for the Secret Service to review its security measures and ensure the safety of high-profile political figures. The agency must take steps to prevent such incidents from happening in the future and ensure the safety of all those attending political events.
Sources:
nypost.com
cnn.com
nypost.com
The Secret Service is facing serious questions about its security measures after a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. The incident has raised concerns about the agency's ability to protect high-profile political figures, including former President Donald Trump.
The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was able to gain access to the rooftop of a nearby building and fire several shots at the rally. One of the bullets struck Trump in the ear, while another killed a bystander and critically wounded two others.
According to sources, the shooting came from the "three o'clock" position of Trump's podium location, with shots coming from his right side. Secret Service counter-assault snipers quickly responded and shot the suspect, who was found on top of the roof.
However, the fact that the shooter was able to obtain rooftop access in relatively close proximity to the rally has raised questions about the size of the security perimeter and efforts to sweep and secure the area. The building where the shooter was located was outside the "hard" security perimeter, which has led to concerns about whether the Secret Service had enough assets to protect Trump and whether procedures were followed to conduct security sweeps of the building.
President Joe Biden has directed Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to review all security measures for the Republican National Convention, which is set to take place this week in Milwaukee. The FBI is now the lead agency investigating the attempted assassination, but the security lapse issue will be for the Department of Homeland Security and USSS, as well as Congress, to look into.
Republican and Democratic lawmakers are already demanding answers from the agency on the security posture and hearings on the incident. House Speaker Mike Johnson vowed a "full investigation" of the shooting, featuring testimony from USSS, DHS, and the FBI. Two Republicans on the Senate Homeland Security Committee have also called for an investigation.
The incident has also raised questions about security at the upcoming Republican convention. Recently, the questions over how the Secret Service and law enforcement would treat those carrying firearms was raised at a press conference explaining the RNC security plan.
The scrutiny comes as the Secret Service has dealt with security lapses in recent months and years. In May 2023, an intruder gained access to the home of Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, despite his round-the-clock Secret Service protection. Sullivan encountered the intruder in his home and alerted his security detail. Sullivan was unharmed.
On January 6, 2021, then-incoming Vice President Kamala Harris was driven by her security detail yards away from a pipe bomb outside the Democratic National Headquarters. She was evacuated after law enforcement discovered the pipe bomb, which was more than 90 minutes after her arrival.
The Secret Service uses intelligence and strategic information to determine security posture. However, the agency is not formally part of the intelligence community and is considered a "consumer" of intelligence, relying heavily on relationships with agencies such as the Director of National Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Intelligence and Analysis.
The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of high-profile political figures, including Trump, who is set to attend the Republican National Convention this week. The Secret Service has announced that it will not be beefing up security for the convention despite the attempt on Trump's life.
The agency has denied rumors circulating on social media that it had denied requests from Trump's team for more security. In a statement, the Secret Service said the detail had been increased recently.
The FBI also pushed back on the implication on Saturday night. "There was no additional request for security that was ever denied by the FBI," Kevin Rojek, the FBI special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh office, said during a news conference.
The incident has highlighted the need for the Secret Service to review its security measures and ensure the safety of high-profile political figures. The agency must take steps to prevent such incidents from happening in the future and ensure the safety of all those attending political events.
Sources:
nypost.com
cnn.com
nypost.com
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