Secret Service
A critical examination of the lapses in security that allowed a shooter to target former President Trump
From Lincoln to Trump, the list of attempts and successful assassinations offers critical insights for modern-day presidential security measures
The Trump rally shooting demonstrated commendable actions like quick thinking by citizens, as well as shortcomings such as poor site selection and training gaps
“Put simply, the evidence obtained by the Task Force to date shows the tragic and shocking events of July 13 were preventable and should not have happened,” the report says
“Without that reform, the Independent Review Panel believes another Butler can and will happen again,” the authors wrote
The committee found multiple failures on almost every level ahead of the Butler, Pa. shooting, including in planning, communications, security and allocation of resources
Among the problems: Some local police were unaware of two communications centers on site, so officers didn’t know the Secret Service wasn’t receiving their radio transmissions
The man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt targeting Donald Trump camped outside a golf course with food and a rifle for nearly 12 hours
“The job done was absolutely outstanding. I am very proud to be an American!” Trump said
Butler Township officers expressed frustration with the Secret Service for failing to post someone on the roof, with one officer saying he advised them to do so days before
The officer’s shot forced the suspect to recoil, resulting in a 10-second pause in gunfire; this critical period allowed the Secret Service sniper to take decisive action
FBI Director Christopher Wray revealed that the shooter researched the JFK assassination and flew a drone over the venue before attending the rally
Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris stated that Butler officers alerted state police about the suspect’s suspicious behavior before leaving posts to seek him out
During a congressional hearing, Kimberly Cheatle said the Secret Service was told about a suspicious person two to five times before the shooting at the Trump rally
“The officer had both hands on the roof to get up on the roof [but] never made it because the shooter had turned towards the officer, and rightfully and smartly, the officer let go,” Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe said
“We are confident in the plan we have implemented for the Republican National Convention,” said Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, the U.S. Secret Service’s RNC coordinator
Effective presidential protection relies on more than just federal efforts. Learn how local officers can contribute, stay informed and maintain crucial roles
The gunman, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, fired multiple shots at the stage from an “elevated position outside of the rally venue”
The Trump campaign thanked law enforcement and other first responders in a statement and said “he is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility”
A defense lawyer said her client gave federal agents free luxury apartments because he wanted to be friends
While the judge conceded there was sufficient evidence to convict, he also said there were “significantly worse and more dangerous impersonation cases”
The two men were reportedly trying to integrate with actual agents, one of whom served on the first lady’s security detail
The Diplomatic Security Service spent a week in South Florida as part of a training tour with police agencies across the country
A former police officer, Keith Mills helped protect the late President George H.W. Bush as well as President George W. Bush during visits to Maine
SWAT
A Texas man was charged with carrying a dangerous weapon and carrying a rifle outside of a business, among others
The president was not at the resort at the time, although he was scheduled to arrive there later Friday
The Secret Service studied 27 incidents where a total of 91 people were killed and 107 more injured in public spaces in 2018
The library handles threat letters and phony documents, ransom letters and memorabilia
The hunt continues Monday for a man suspected of stealing firearms who has threatened to carry out an unspecified attack
