Secret Service
Understanding the protective protocols and legal standards that shaped agents’ response during a high-security DHS event
Report identifies preventable failures in communication, planning, execution and leadership on and before July 13 incident
A critical examination of the lapses in security that allowed a shooter to target former President Trump
Tim McCarthy was shot while providing security for then-president Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981; he recalled the incident as a part of the Secret Service series “Behind the Shades”
Former National City Police officer Ashley Cummins alleged she was passed over for promotions and suspended after a shooting despite not being involved in the incident
Clint Hill co-authored several books — including “Mrs. Kennedy and Me” and “Five Presidents” — about his Secret Service years
FBI
President Donald Trump announced the appointment in a post on his Truth Social platform, praising Bongino as “a man of incredible love and passion for our Country”
The ad, directed by filmmaker Michael Bay, highlighted the department’s history by showcasing key moments that may have been catastrophic without Secret Service protection
“The Secret Service’s zero fail mission allows no margin for error, let alone for the many errors described in this report,” the review stated of the first attempt on Trump’s life in Butler, Pa.
“Put simply, the evidence obtained by the Task Force to date shows the tragic and shocking events of July 13 were preventable and should not have happened,” the report says
“Without that reform, the Independent Review Panel believes another Butler can and will happen again,” the authors wrote
The committee found multiple failures on almost every level ahead of the Butler, Pa. shooting, including in planning, communications, security and allocation of resources
Among the problems: Some local police were unaware of two communications centers on site, so officers didn’t know the Secret Service wasn’t receiving their radio transmissions
From Lincoln to Trump, the list of attempts and successful assassinations offers critical insights for modern-day presidential security measures
The man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt targeting Donald Trump camped outside a golf course with food and a rifle for nearly 12 hours
“The job done was absolutely outstanding. I am very proud to be an American!” Trump said
Butler Township officers expressed frustration with the Secret Service for failing to post someone on the roof, with one officer saying he advised them to do so days before
The officer’s shot forced the suspect to recoil, resulting in a 10-second pause in gunfire; this critical period allowed the Secret Service sniper to take decisive action
FBI Director Christopher Wray revealed that the shooter researched the JFK assassination and flew a drone over the venue before attending the rally
Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris stated that Butler officers alerted state police about the suspect’s suspicious behavior before leaving posts to seek him out
During a congressional hearing, Kimberly Cheatle said the Secret Service was told about a suspicious person two to five times before the shooting at the Trump rally
The Trump rally shooting demonstrated commendable actions like quick thinking by citizens, as well as shortcomings such as poor site selection and training gaps
“The officer had both hands on the roof to get up on the roof [but] never made it because the shooter had turned towards the officer, and rightfully and smartly, the officer let go,” Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe said
“We are confident in the plan we have implemented for the Republican National Convention,” said Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, the U.S. Secret Service’s RNC coordinator
Effective presidential protection relies on more than just federal efforts. Learn how local officers can contribute, stay informed and maintain crucial roles
The gunman, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, fired multiple shots at the stage from an “elevated position outside of the rally venue”
The Trump campaign thanked law enforcement and other first responders in a statement and said “he is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility”
A defense lawyer said her client gave federal agents free luxury apartments because he wanted to be friends
While the judge conceded there was sufficient evidence to convict, he also said there were “significantly worse and more dangerous impersonation cases”
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