Put Your AD here!

Secret Service failed to ensure safeguards were in place at Trump’s Pa. rally that could have blocked shooter’s view: report

Secret Service failed to ensure safeguards were in place at Trump’s Pa. rally that could have blocked shooter’s view: report


This article was originally published on NY Post - US-News. You can read the original article HERE

Secret Service agents failed to ensure that proper safeguards were in place that could have obstructed Donald Trump’s would-be assassin’s view of the former president at his campaign rally in Butler, Pa., according to a scathing internal investigation.

Plans were discussed by agents with Secret Service headquarters and the Pittsburgh field office to potentially use cranes, trucks and flags to block the line of sight from the AGR International building – from which Trump’s would-be assassin opened fire – to the stage where the 45th president was shot, officials told the Washington Post.

An internal investigation found Secret Service agents failed to ensure that proper safeguards were in place ahead of Trump’s rally in Butler. AFP via Getty Images

Instead, Secret Service supervisors who showed up on site on July 13 found the heavy equipment and flags were placed in a way on the Butler Farm Show grounds that did not impede the view between AGR building and the stage, according to the investigation, the findings of which reportedly may be released next week.

The internal probe, ordered by Secret Service acting director Ronald Rowe, also found that the agency never instructed local police to secure the rooftop from which 20-year-old gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks tried to assassinate Trump.

Thomas Matthew Crooks, the gunman who tried to assassinate Donald Trump. AP

Crooks, perched atop the building about 130 yards from the rally stage, had a clear line of sight when he fired off eight rounds, killing a rallygoer, wounding two others and striking Trump’s ear.

The gunman was then killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper.

This satellite image from 2023 shows an overview of the Butler Farm Show Inc. in Butler, Pa., where former president Trump was shot. Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies/AFP via Getty Images
Officers stand over the body of shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks after an assassination attempt on Trump. Obtained by NY Post

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the Secret Service had insisted local police were responsible for securing and patrolling the factory grounds of AGR International – located outside of the rally grounds.

The internal investigation additionally detailed the alarming communication breakdown between federal and local authorities, according to the Washington Post.

The radio room used by Secret Service agents to field outside threats was unable to receive real-time alerts from local police stationed outside.

Former President Donald Trump speaking at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., on Saturday, July 13, 2024. AP
The probe found that agents never instructed local police to secure the rooftop where the gunman tried to assassinate Trump. Getty Images

It has previously been reported that Crooks was spotted by law enforcement, using a rangefinder and looking at his phone, nearly an hour before Trump took the stage

According to the internal probe, Secret Service agents didn’t hear local police talking on their radios about trying to track down Crooks and then locating him after Trump began his remarks.

Agents on the ground got the message that Crooks was a “threat” just 10 minutes before Trump began speaking.

This image shows the body of shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks after an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. X @rawsalerts

Rowe, the acting Secret Secret director, admitted to the Washington Post the agency must be held accountable for the security breakdowns highlighted in the report.

He also said the agency has launched another review to boost security for the dozens of government officials protected by the Secret Service.

Rowe briefed members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on the report Thursday and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle said they were “appalled” by the security failures at Trump’s rally.

“I think the American people will be shocked, astonished and appalled by what we will report to them about the failures of the Secret Service in this assassination attempt of a former president,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who chairs the panel’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

This article was originally published by NY Post - US-News. We only curate news from sources that align with the core values of our intended conservative audience. If you like the news you read here we encourage you to utilize the original sources for even more great news and opinions you can trust!

Read Original Article HERE



YubNub Promo
Header Banner

Comments

  Contact Us
  • Postal Service
    YubNub Digital Media
    361 Patricia Drive
    New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
  • E-mail
    admin@yubnub.digital
  Follow Us
  About

YubNub! It Means FREEDOM! The Freedom To Experience Your Daily News Intake Without All The Liberal Dribble And Leftist Lunacy!.


Our mission is to provide a healthy and uncensored news environment for conservative audiences that appreciate real, unfiltered news reporting. Our admin team has handpicked only the most reputable and reliable conservative sources that align with our core values.