Following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the Secret Service is facing severe criticism. During a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, shot at Trump from a rooftop, hitting his ear. Despite rally-goers noticing Crooks scaling the building with a rifle and trying to alert the Secret Service and police, the shooter was able to fire.
Michael Difrischia, who witnessed and recorded the event, stated that he and his wife saw Crooks with the rifle and attempted to warn authorities for several minutes. However, their warnings went unheeded, allowing Crooks to shoot at Trump. The Secret Service eventually responded, killing Crooks, but the incident has raised questions about their effectiveness.
Social media videos showed attendees shouting, “He’s got a gun!” before the shots were fired. Former NYPD officer criticized the Secret Service, claiming their counter-sniper team had visual contact with the shooter but allowed him to fire first. This view is shared by other witnesses who pointed out the shooter to the authorities beforehand.
Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent, labeled the agency’s response as a “catastrophic failure,” urging Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to resign. He cited multiple ignored requests for increased security around Trump despite known threats. The FBI has also questioned how the shooter managed to fire multiple rounds despite warnings and visible presence.
Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) and House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) have requested a thorough briefing from the Secret Service. Waltz mentioned that reliable sources confirmed repeated security enhancement requests were ignored, highlighting potential negligence.
As investigations continue, the Secret Service is under pressure to explain their security failures and implement measures to prevent similar incidents, especially with the upcoming Republican National Convention.
