(PatriotSpotlight.org) – The Secret Service is facing intense scrutiny following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally last Saturday. The incident resulted in Trump losing part of his ear and has been labeled one of the most severe agency failures since the 1981 shooting of President Ronald Reagan.
Despite the uproar, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has refused to step down. “I do plan to stay on,” Cheatle stated on Monday, deflecting responsibility onto local Pennsylvania law enforcement for the security lapses. Cheatle emphasized that the Secret Service was responsible for the rally’s inner perimeter. At the same time, local police were tasked with securing the outer perimeter, including the building from which the gunman fired.
Critics argue that the Secret Service holds ultimate responsibility for overall security planning. The agency is expected to mitigate risks from long-range shooters and ensure local police secure potential threat locations. This incident revealed significant gaps in coordination and execution, with three counter-snipers in the building beneath the shooter failing to prevent the attack.
Law enforcement had identified the shooter nearly 30 minutes before Trump was hit. The Secret Service had been alerted to the building’s unique threat days prior to the rally. The agency’s explanation for not securing the rooftop, citing its “sloped” nature, has been met with widespread skepticism. One source said Trump’s staff had previously requested higher security from the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), but their requests had not been granted. It was also reported that a guard who was scheduled to be on the roof was a no-show.
Republican politicians and staunch Trump allies Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) and Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) are urging an official Select Committee probe into the security failure. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan have echoed their concerns. Last Saturday’s incident is the latest in a long line of controversies, including a 2014 incident in which an armed intruder managed to enter the White House.
Copyright 2024, PatriotSpotlight.org
