The US Secret Service on Friday released a detailed account of the security failures that allowed an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a July rally. Thomas Matthew Crooks, the shooter, was able to fire from a nearby rooftop at the outdoor event held by Republican election candidate Trump, who narrowly escaped death, suffering a wound to his right ear.
Acting Director Ronald Rowe, at a press briefing, stated that the review “identified deficiencies in the advanced planning and its implementation by Secret Service personnel.” While praising the diligence of some agents, Rowe highlighted complacency among others, leading to a breach of security protocols.
The review uncovered several crucial failures: poor communication with local law enforcement, an overreliance on mobile devices resulting in information silos, and inadequate mitigation of line-of-sight issues. Notably, a vital piece of information – the report of an individual on the roof of the AGR building – was communicated by phone to the Secret Service security room but not relayed over the official radio network. This delay in communication proved critical in the unfolding incident.
Two rally attendees in Butler, Pennsylvania, were injured by gunfire, and a third, 50-year-old firefighter Corey Comperatore, tragically lost his life. Crooks was shot dead by Secret Service personnel. In the aftermath of the incident, Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle resigned, and several agents were placed on leave. The review serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust security protocols and highlights the need for ongoing vigilance to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
