A new report by the House Task Force investigating the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania in July 2023 paints a stark picture of security failures, raising serious questions about the Secret Service’s preparedness. The report, which was released on Monday, concludes that the incident, which left one attendee dead and several injured, was “preventable.” The report highlights a lack of communication and coordination between the Secret Service and local law enforcement agencies as a primary contributing factor to the tragedy.
The task force, led by Chairman Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., who was present at the shooting, found that the Secret Service failed to establish a clear chain of command and did not effectively communicate with local authorities, leading to a breakdown in security. The report details how a would-be assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was able to fire eight shots before being killed by a single bullet to the head, underscoring the critical flaws in the security perimeter.
The report reveals that local law enforcement officers noticed Crooks’ suspicious behavior roughly 40 minutes before he opened fire, but vital information about his movements did not reach the Secret Service command post in a timely manner. The task force also found that the Secret Service did not participate in any pre-rally briefings with local and state law enforcement, highlighting a lack of coordination and collaboration.
Furthermore, the report sheds light on conflicting accounts regarding the identity of the shooter’s killer. While the Secret Service initially claimed one of its snipers killed Crooks, the report notes that the autopsy revealed only one gunshot wound, suggesting the sniper was not involved.
The report is likely to fuel further scrutiny of the Secret Service’s security protocols and raise concerns about the agency’s ability to protect high-profile figures. The Task Force is continuing its investigation into the Pennsylvania incident and a separate assassination attempt on Trump at his West Palm Beach Golf Course in September 2023. The findings of the report will undoubtedly have significant implications for future security arrangements for the former president and other high-ranking officials.