The U.S. Secret Service made a big announcement on Friday in relation to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life last month in Pennsylvania. The agency has taken disciplinary action against five agents from the 60-member detail assigned to former President Donald Trump, sources report, suspending them after a 20-year-old assailant nearly took Trump’s life while killing a rallygoer and wounding two more.
RealClearPolitics has been covering the ongoing turmoil within the Secret Service, highlighting significant issues affecting its upper ranks. The agency’s presidential details, which are among the most prestigious and demanding assignments for agents, have been under scrutiny since the July 13th shooting. The incident has exposed further security lapses and misconduct among agents. Earlier this month, a bipartisan House committee conducted a thorough review of the agency’s personnel and procedures. Friday’s suspensions of the five agents seem to be a direct response to the pressures faced by Acting Director Robert Rowe to implement accountability.
Multiple agents from the Secret Service’s Pittsburgh Field Office have been placed on administrative leave, according to separate sources. This move highlights the urgency for Acting Director Robert Rowe to demonstrate control and reassure lawmakers following the resignation of former Director Kimberly Cheatle.
Administrative leave is used for federal employees who are temporarily removed from their duties due to investigations into misconduct or for medical or mental health reasons. During this period, employees typically continue to receive pay and benefits, although this is at the discretion of senior officials. Another group of agents, despite also being involved in the security arrangements for the fatal rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has been assigned to continue protecting Trump, the outlet reported.
The differing outcomes for the agents involved have caused frustration within the Secret Service, as personnel debate who bears the most responsibility for the security lapses. The FBI, which is conducting its own investigation, has reported that the Secret Service did not maintain clear communication with local authorities responsible for securing the perimeter of the Trump rally. The lapse allowed gunman Thomas Crooks, 20, to climb onto a warehouse roof and fire a high-powered rifle. During a July 30th congressional hearing, Rowe expressed his confusion over why Cheatle or the agents managing the event failed to secure the rooftopp the shooter used, which was in perfect line of sight to Trump.
Earlier this month, Congress was informed that months before the assassination attempt on Trump, Secret Service managers were warned by the Homeland Security inspector general about serious deficiencies. These included issues with communication with local police partners and insufficient training for agents conducting security sweeps at events for protectees, sources told Just the News.
Late last month, a Secret Service agent predicted that another attempt would be made on Trump’s life. RealClearPolitics White House correspondent Susan Crabtree reported on an internal message from an agency counter-sniper expressing frustration over the Secret Service’s significant security failure. The message revealed that the counter-sniper hoped for the dismissal of senior officials and warned that another catastrophe could be imminent without changes to protocols.
“A Secret Service counter sniper sent an email Monday night to the entire Uniformed Division (not agents) saying he will not stop speaking out until ‘5 high-level supervisors (1 down) are either fired or removed from their current positions,’” Crabtree wrote on X. “The counter sniper also said the agency ‘SHOULD expect another assassination attempt’ before November and complained that he is no longer proud to be a USSS counter sniper after leadership failed the officers at the Trump rally in Butler on 7/13.”
In the message obtained by Crabtree, the alleged SS sniper added: “Sadly we have fallen short for YEARS. We just look good doing it. I have conveyed these thoughts to not only supervisors (to include the current Captain of CS, but those responsible for training us (SOTS/CS). Only to be brushed off as those with less experience somehow knew more than me.”
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