US Secret Service says complacent in Trump assassination bids
4 Min Read
The US Secret Services admits guilt in the attempts on the life of former US President Donald Trump.
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Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a campaign event at Nassau Coliseum, Wednesday, September 18, 2024, in Uniondale, New York (AP)
The US Secret Service on Friday disclosed numerous security failures following its review of the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump at a rally in July.
The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire from a nearby rooftop during the event in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump, the Republican candidate for the 2024 election, narrowly escaped with a wound to his right ear.
The review identified critical lapses in the planning and execution of security measures. Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. acknowledged the deficiencies during a press briefing. "While some members of the advance team were very diligent, there was complacency on the part of others that led to a breach of security protocols," he said.
Among the key issues, Rowe highlighted poor communication with local law enforcement and an "over-reliance" on mobile devices, which led to important information being "siloed" and not effectively shared. He also noted failures in mitigating line-of-sight risks, which allowed the shooter to take up a rooftop position unnoticed.
Rowe recounted when the Secret Service security room called a countersniper agent at 6:10 p.m. local time to report an individual on the roof of the AGR building. However, that crucial piece of intelligence was not relayed over the Secret Service’s radio network.
Two attendees of the rally were injured, and a third person, 50-year-old firefighter Corey Comperatore, lost his life in the attack. Crooks was eventually shot and killed by Secret Service personnel on the rooftop.
Aftermath of the assassination attempt
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned following the bid on Trump's life, and several agents involved in the security planning were placed on leave. Rowe emphasized the need for increased funding, personnel, and equipment to transition the agency "from a state of reaction to a state of readiness."
The US House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill on Friday that would extend the same level of Secret Service protection to presidential candidates as is provided to sitting presidents and vice presidents. The bill now awaits approval in the Senate and a signature from President Joe Biden before becoming law.
Concerns over security intensified further after a second assassination attempt targeting Trump occurred at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, last weekend, although the gunman was discovered before he could fire any shots.
"What occurred on Sunday demonstrates that the threat environment in which the Secret Service operates is tremendous," Rowe said.
Authorities reported that Secret Service agents detected a gunman hiding in bushes near the edge of the property, armed with an AK-47-style assault rifle. Both The New York Times and Fox News identified the suspect as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh from Hawaii, though Reuters was unable to verify these claims independently.
The agents, who were sweeping the course for potential threats ahead of Trump’s game, spotted the gunman’s rifle from a distance of 400 to 500 yards (about 365 to 457 meters) and opened fire, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. The incident occurred around 1:30 pm local time (1730 GMT).
After exchanging fire with the Secret Service, the gunman dropped his weapon, two backpacks, and other belongings before fleeing in a black Nissan. A witness managed to capture photographs of the suspect’s car and license plate, aiding the investigation. Sheriff Bradshaw praised the agents' swift response, saying they had taken the correct actions.
Following the suspect’s escape, authorities issued a statewide alert, eventually leading Martin County deputies to apprehend the suspect on I-95. While the suspect’s identity and motive remained undisclosed then, Sheriff Bradshaw confirmed that an arrest had been made.
Trump has used these events to criticize President Biden and his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, claiming that their rhetoric was motivating such plots.
