Secret Service Suspends Agents After Trump Attack [VIDEO]

Following the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, five Secret Service agents have been placed on administrative leave, according to a Fox News report. Among those suspended are a member of Trump’s personal security detail and four agents from the Pittsburgh Field Office, including the special agent in charge.

This development comes nearly six weeks after the shocking incident, which has triggered an internal investigation within the elite agency. The investigation is focusing on the security lapses that allowed Thomas Matthew Crooks to fire multiple shots from a nearby building, endangering Trump and others at the rally. While one bullet grazed Trump’s right ear, firefighter Corey Comperatore tragically lost his life, and rally attendees James Copenhaver and David Dutch were injured in the attack.

BREAKING: Multiple Secret Service agents put “ON LEAVE” as part of ongoing “investigation” into the Trump assassination attempt on J/13

Among the agents is the USSS event coordinator for the J/13 Trump Rally in Butler PA

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— Drew Hernandez (@DrewHLive) August 23, 2024

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The fallout from this event has already claimed the resignation of former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who stepped down less than two weeks after the shooting. Cheatle had provided initial testimony to Congress regarding the incident. In response, lawmakers have called for sweeping personnel changes and the dismissal of those responsible for the security failures.

Fox News has also revealed that the Secret Service was aware of a potential threat to Trump from Iran before the Butler event. The ongoing investigation is likely scrutinizing why the event proceeded despite the known danger.

In a statement, the Secret Service emphasized its commitment to thoroughly examining the decisions and actions taken by personnel related to the July 13 event. Anthony Guglielmi, the agency’s chief of communications, stated, “The U.S. Secret Service’s mission assurance review is progressing, and we are examining the processes, procedures, and factors that led to this operational failure. Our personnel are held to the highest professional standards, and any violations of policy will be investigated for potential disciplinary action.”

The FBI has disclosed that Crooks gained access to the rooftop where he fired the shots by climbing HVAC equipment and piping. He moved across several rooftops before finding a vantage point approximately 150 yards from where Trump was speaking.

Text messages from local law enforcement, who were monitoring the rally, had flagged Crooks as suspicious at least 90 minutes before the shooting. Despite these warnings, Crooks was still able to carry out his attack.

Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chairman of the House Oversight Committee, praised the decision to take action against some Secret Service members, stating, “There must be accountability at the Secret Service for its historic failures that led to the attempted assassination of President Trump. Holding negligent employees accountable is the first step. I look forward to the findings of the investigation. We must ensure the Secret Service does not fail again.”

Original Article:

In the aftermath of the botched security at former President Trump’s Butler, Pennsylvania rally, the Secret Service finds itself embroiled in controversy and internal strife. Three weeks ago, Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe faced intense scrutiny from senators, who demanded immediate accountability for the agents whose lapses led to an assassination attempt on Trump. However, Rowe staunchly resisted these calls, defending his agents and promising a thorough investigation instead of a rush to judgment, as reported by Real Clear Politics.

Since then, several members of the Pittsburgh Field Office have been placed on administrative leave, a move that has only deepened divisions within the agency. These agents were directly involved in the failed security plan at Butler, yet others, including those on Trump’s permanent protective detail who were also involved in the planning, remain on duty. This unequal treatment has fueled speculation that the Pittsburgh office might be scapegoated, while the real culprits in Washington remain untouched.

During a heated Senate committee meeting on July 30, Rowe expressed frustration over the unguarded rooftop from which the shooter, Thomas Crooks, launched his attack. Rowe pledged that any breaches of protocol would be met with severe disciplinary action. Yet, sources within the Secret Service argue that the blame extends beyond field agents and should include senior officials in Washington. These officials, they say, likely rejected critical security measures for the rally, despite the heightened threat level from an Iranian assassination plot against Trump.

Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle’s resignation in late July, following bipartisan criticism, has done little to quell demands for accountability. Critics argue that the leadership, including Rowe, who was Cheatle’s deputy, bears significant responsibility for the agency’s failures.

Adding to the turmoil, former Secret Service agent and conservative commentator Dan Bongino publicly criticized Rowe and the agency’s leadership, calling for a complete overhaul. Bongino, reflecting the sentiments of many within the agency, condemned the “apocalyptic security failure” and accused the upper echelons of the Secret Service of gross mismanagement.

The internal discord within the Secret Service is compounded by allegations of favoritism and retribution. Sources reveal that mid-level managers in D.C. often reduce security assets to cut costs, a practice that may have contributed to the failures in Butler. Moreover, whistleblowers have come forward, accusing agency leaders of creating a toxic culture where favoritism and fear stifle accountability.

As the investigation into the Butler rally continues, the agency faces mounting pressure to address not only the immediate security failures but also the deeper issues within its ranks. Rowe, in a recent all-hands call, promised a “paradigm” overhaul and a push for budget increases to prevent future failures. However, the path forward for the Secret Service remains fraught with challenges, as internal dissent and external scrutiny show no signs of abating.