The Secret Service is being heavily criticized following the attack on former President Trump. The Secretary of Homeland Security sees a failure of the bodyguards. President Biden announced an independent investigation into the incident.
Following the assassination attempt on former President Trump, the Secret Service is facing massive criticism. Experts are asking how the perpetrator, armed with a semi-automatic rifle, was able to get unnoticed onto the roof of the factory in Butler, Pennsylvania, from where he fired the shots at Trump during his campaign appearance on Saturday. Trump suffered a minor injury to his ear.
The building on which the shooter was located was outside the security zone set up by the Secret Service for Trump's rally. However, the building is only 150 meters from where the podium for Trump had been erected. And from its roof there was a clear view in the direction of the ex-president.
According to the Washington Post, local police were responsible for patrolling the area, which borders the Secret Service security zone. An investigation is now underway to determine whether there was a breakdown in communication between the Secret Service and Butler police, a senior agency official told the newspaper.
“An incident like this must not happen”
President Joe Biden immediately ordered an independent investigation into the events. In addition, several Republicans in the House of Representatives announced that they wanted to initiate a detailed parliamentary investigation.
Trump himself praised the Secret Service for doing a “fantastic job.” By this he meant the speed and precision with which the security service shot the perpetrator, as Trump said in an interview with the New York Post after the assassination.
But the former president is largely alone in this view. According to US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, the attack on Trump represents a security failure. “An incident like this should not happen,” Mayorkas told CNN. “When I say something like this should not happen, we are talking about a failure.” Mayorkas was specifically asked whether he believes that a failure on the part of the Secret Service was responsible for the assassination attempt. The agency is responsible for protecting current and former presidents and reports to Mayorkas's ministry.
Richard Painter, a White House employee under former President George W. Bush and now a law professor at the University of Minnesota, expressed similar views. He spoke of an “egregious security failure” and called for a detailed investigation. Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger was astonished that the shooter was able to get onto the factory roof. As Goldinger told MSNBC, there were even security guards in the factory building.
Secret Service pledges cooperation
The Secret Service, meanwhile, agreed to an independent investigation. “The Secret Service has an enormous responsibility to protect the current and former leaders of our democracy,” said Director Kimberly Cheatle. “It is a responsibility that I take incredibly seriously, and I am committed to this mission.”
The security service is working with all agencies involved “to understand what happened, how it happened, and how we can prevent such an incident from ever happening again,” Cheatle said. The agency is aware of the importance of the investigation announced by President Biden and will “fully participate in it,” she added. “We will also cooperate with the relevant congressional committees on any oversight measures.”
Security measures to be strengthened
Cheatle announced that her agency would once again increase security for Trump's appearance at the Republican convention in Wisconsin. The plan for security measures for the convention, which begins today, is flexible and will be further adjusted if necessary “to guarantee the highest level of security for participants, volunteers and the city of Milwaukee.”
In addition to the increased security measures for former President Trump that were already put in place in June, changes are being made “to ensure his continued protection for the convention and the rest of the campaign.” Cheatle said she is now confident that she is prepared for all eventualities.
