Independent Panel Calls for Major Reforms in Secret Service Following July Attempted Assassination of Trump
Butler, Pennsylvania –
An independent panel set up by President Biden has released a critical report concerning the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The review reveals that the Secret Service is plagued by “deep flaws” that allowed the attack to happen, prompting the panel to urge for significant changes within the agency.
The report was unveiled on Thursday and comes in the wake of an investigation that identified numerous failures leading up to the assassination attempt. The independent review panel expressed concern over what they referred to as “systemic issues” within the Secret Service that must be addressed swiftly. In a letter signed by all four members of the panel, it was stated, “Without that reform, the Independent Review Panel believes another Butler can and will happen again.”
Panel Findings
The panel’s findings outlined six major failures related to the attack at the Trump rally. These included:
- The absence of personnel to secure the AGR building, which served as the vantage point for the shooter.
- The failure to recognize and address the line-of-sight threats posed by the building.
- Poor communication between the Secret Service and local law enforcement.
- The failure to engage with the shooter, who was observed before the shooting began.
- Leadership’s lack of awareness about the gunman until moments before the assault.
- Inability to detect a drone that was operated by the shooter hours before the attempt.
The report asserts these failures represent not just isolated incidents but also reflect broader cultural and operational issues within the Secret Service. It calls for “new leadership” with experience outside the agency to help drive these essential reforms.
Response from Officials
Following the release of the report, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas affirmed that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would “fully consider” the panel’s recommendations. He indicated actions are underway to improve the Secret Service’s ability to protect officials moving forward.
Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe acknowledged the report and pledged that the agency would carefully analyze the findings. He noted ongoing efforts to enhance operational readiness and communications and to implement new protective measures for Trump and others under the agency’s protection.
Rowe explained that while the agency is committed to reform, any new models would require additional resources, personnel, and support from Congress to become effective. He expressed concern about the potential impact of the report on staff morale and voiced reservations about some recommendations made by the panel.
Deeper Cultural Issues Identified
Beyond the immediate failures, the panel pointed out deeper issues within the Secret Service, such as a lack of clarity over security responsibilities at event sites and a troubling culture that seems resistant to critical thinking. It stated that leadership had failed to take ownership of security planning, raising questions about the experience and judgment of agents assigned to crucial tasks.
The report emphasized that “July 13 represents a historic security failure” that nearly cost a former president his life and actually resulted in the death of a rally attendee. The panel encouraged agency personnel to embrace a mindset of being “elite and flawless” in their security operations moving forward.
Calls for Increased Resources
As discussions about the state of the Secret Service heat up, some members of Congress are advocating for increased funding for the agency. However, the independent panel has cautioned that even a significant boost in budget wouldn’t resolve many of the core issues identified in their investigation.
They concluded that the failures on July 13 likely would have occurred regardless of budget constraints, highlighting that issues related to communication and preparedness were key factors in the incident.
The Way Forward
The panel’s findings, which followed an extensive review process involving interviews and document analysis, shed light on the challenges facing the Secret Service as it works to protect the nation’s leaders. With the next presidential election approaching, the pressure on the agency to rebuild trust and ensure safety is mounting.
As the Secret Service evaluates the report and considers its next steps, the weight of responsibility lies heavy on its shoulders to prevent any future security failures like those seen in Butler.
