Secret Service Failures Exposed in Report on Trump Assassination Attempt: Communication Gaps Led to Lapses in Protection

A recent report has brought to light a series of critical communication breakdowns between the Secret Service and local law enforcement. These lapses in security were particularly alarming as they occurred ahead of an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a July campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The incident, which left Trump wounded in the ear by gunfire, underscores the pressing need for immediate action to prevent such attacks in the future.

The five-page report, released Friday, points to a cascade of errors involving both federal and local agencies. The Secret Service identified severe communication deficiencies, including a failure to relay critical information between law enforcement and Trump’s protective detail during the rally. This failure ultimately allowed 20-year-old gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks to open fire from an unsecured rooftop less than 150 yards from Trump.

Key Findings and Missed Opportunities

The internal investigation details how local law enforcement officers were unaware of the Secret Service’s communication centers, which led to officers transmitting vital information outside the agency’s radio frequencies. Instead of using secured channels, officers used mobile devices to share fragmented updates as they searched for Crooks. This hindered the Secret Service’s awareness of the emerging threat.

“The failure of personnel to broadcast via radio the description of the assailant or vital information regarding a suspicious individual on the roof of the AGR complex to all federal personnel at the Butler site inhibited the collective awareness of Secret Service personnel,” the report stated.

Had the Secret Service been fully informed, the agency could have relocated Trump or taken other protective measures before the shooting. The report also highlighted a glaring oversight: no law enforcement was stationed on the rooftop from which Crooks fired, despite warnings of the security risks posed by the location. This underscores the preventable nature of the attack and the urgent need for enhanced security measures.

Tactical Missteps

The report revealed that a local tactical team was positioned on the complex’s second floor of a building. However, there was insufficient communication between the team and the Secret Service before the rally. Although the team’s positioning was questioned, no further discussions were held about adjusting their placement or deploying personnel on the roof, despite snipers being open to the idea.

The report criticized the lack of coordination between local and federal authorities, pointing to broader systemic issues. The site, chosen by Trump’s campaign to accommodate a larger audience, posed known security risks that went unaddressed on the day of the attack.

Leadership Response and Broader Implications

While the report does not name individuals responsible for the failures, former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned shortly after the incident, taking full responsibility for the security lapse. At least five Secret Service agents have also been placed on modified duty.

Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr. acknowledged the failings and stressed the importance of learning from the incident. “We must hold ourselves accountable for the failures of July 13th and use the lessons learned to ensure we never face another mission failure like this again,” Rowe said, providing reassurance that the agency is committed to improving its security measures.

The report’s release coincides with renewed scrutiny of the Secret Service following the recent arrest of 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, who was apprehended in Florida while allegedly planning to kill Trump. Routh was found with a rifle near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach.

Calls for Change

The Secret Service’s internal review is one of several ongoing investigations, including those by Congress and the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general. Rowe has called for a significant shift in how the agency protects public officials in light of the July shooting and other recent threats.

The report concludes that while the agency faced complex challenges, more robust communication and collaboration with local law enforcement could have prevented the attempt on Trump’s life. The findings raise questions about the broader readiness of the Secret Service and the need for enhanced protocols moving forward.