An independent report has revealed “deep flaws” in the US Secret Service that need urgent reform. Without addressing these issues, more assassination attempts like the one at rally of Donald Trump in July could happen again, the report warns.
The findings, released on Thursday, come from a panel tasked with investigating the July 13 shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania. The panel’s 52-page report described the Secret Service as “bureaucratic, complacent, and static.”
The report outlined specific failures that allowed the attack to take place. These included leadership breakdowns, a lack of critical thinking among staff, and a reluctance to raise concerns. The panel called for a complete overhaul of the agency’s leadership, stressing that reform is essential to prevent another incident like Butler.
Secret Service Acknowledges Failures
The Secret Service admitted to its shortcomings following the attack. In response, its director resigned a few weeks after the shooting. Ronald Rowe, the current acting director, has promised to carefully review the report’s recommendations.
In a statement on Thursday, Rowe said, “We have already improved our readiness, communication, and protective operations for the former president.” However, in an internal memo to staff, he expressed “reservations” about the proposed reforms, citing concerns about their impact on agency morale.
The independent report, written by state and national law enforcement officials, praised Secret Service agents for risking their lives to protect top officials. However, it also highlighted several internal issues. A “troubling lack of critical thinking” and a culture where staff hesitate to “speak up” were among the major concerns.
The panel labeled the agency’s problems as “systemic or cultural.” It urged the removal of top leadership immediately, stating that without reforms, another attack like the one in Butler “can and will happen again.” The panel sent these recommendations to Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service.
Trump’s Assassination Attempt
The investigation was prompted by a July 13 assassination attempt on Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler. A gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired eight shots from a rooftop, killing one man and wounding Trump, who was left with a bloodied ear. Secret Service agents shot and killed Crooks on the scene.
Following the attack, President Joe Biden ordered a bipartisan review of the Secret Service. The panel’s report now calls for stricter protective measures, including the use of overhead technology at all outdoor events.
Second Assassination Threat
In September, another gunman was spotted near Trump at his golf course in Palm Beach, Florida. Police arrested the man after noticing the tip of a rifle poking through the bushes, just a few hundred yards away from Trump.
The panel insists that the Secret Service must undergo fundamental changes, starting with leadership. It emphasized that without these reforms, high-level security failures will continue. In its report, the panel warned that “another Butler” is inevitable unless the agency takes immediate action.
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