Deepshikha Maan, Jadetimes Staff
D. Maan is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia
Secret Service Faces Criticism After Assassination Attempt on Trump: Report Calls for Urgent Reforms
The U.S. Secret Service is facing harsh criticism following a damning report that highlights "deep flaws" within the agency, warning that without immediate action, incidents like the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump could happen again.
An independent panel, assigned to investigate the 13 July shooting at Trump’s campaign rally, released its findings on Thursday. The 52-page report describes the Secret Service as "bureaucratic, complacent, and static" and calls for a comprehensive overhaul of its leadership. The panel pointed to numerous "specific failures and breakdowns" that allowed the attack on the Republican candidate to occur.
Secret Service Admits to Failures, Leadership Change Follows
In response to the attack, the Secret Service acknowledged its shortcomings, leading to the resignation of its director just weeks after the shooting. Acting Director Ronald Rowe issued a statement on Thursday, confirming that the agency has already begun reviewing the recommendations outlined in the report.
"We have significantly enhanced our operational readiness, communication, and protective measures for the former president," Rowe said.
Systemic Issues and Leadership Gaps
The report, compiled by law enforcement officials from both state and national levels, praised the bravery of agents who protect high-ranking officials but raised serious concerns over internal leadership and organizational culture. It highlighted a "troubling lack of critical thinking" among staff and a reluctance to voice concerns or challenge decisions.
The report identified these issues as "systemic and cultural" and called for immediate "fundamental reforms," including the removal of certain top leaders within the agency.
"If reforms are not implemented, another incident like Butler is likely to happen again," the panel warned in a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Trump Assassination Attempt Spurs Broader Security Concerns
The investigation was launched after President Joe Biden ordered a bipartisan review of the Secret Service following a gunman’s attempt to assassinate Trump at his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. During the rally, the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired eight shots from a nearby rooftop, killing one individual and grazing Trump, who suffered a bloody ear. Secret Service agents shot and killed Crooks in response.
The panel has called for additional safety measures, specifically recommending that "all outdoor events should be monitored using overhead surveillance technology" to prevent future attacks.
Additional Security Incidents
Concerns about the agency’s protective capabilities were further heightened when another gunman was spotted near Trump’s location at the Trump International Golf Course in Palm Beach, Florida, in September. Police arrested the suspect after spotting the tip of a rifle concealed in nearby shrubbery, just a few hundred yards from the former president.
This series of security lapses has raised alarms over the need for swift and comprehensive reforms within the Secret Service to ensure the safety of the nation’s leaders.
