Secret Service discipline criticized after Trump firing

Washington: A U.S. Senate report issued on Sunday criticized Secret Service discipline, notably the absence of firings after the incident, and said that a “cascade” of mistakes enabled a shooter to fire at Donald Trump at a campaign event last year.

A year after a 20-year-old shooter shot Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing his ear, the report, opens new tab, accused the Secret Service of a pattern of carelessness and communication failures throughout the rally’s preparation and execution.

“There was not a single mistake here. According to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee report, President Trump almost lost his life as a result of a series of avoidable mistakes. Protecting presidents and their families, as well as visiting foreign dignitaries and other high-ranking officials, is the responsibility of the Secret Service.

Two people were hurt in the shooting during the July 13, 2024, demonstration, and one person was killed. Agents of the Secret Service later shot and killed the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks.

“There was not a single moment of poor judgment here. The committee’s Republican head, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, said in a statement that “it was a complete breakdown of security at every level—fueled by bureaucratic indifference, a lack of clear protocols, and a shocking refusal to act on direct threats.”

In the face of intense criticism of the agency’s conduct after the shooting, Kimberly Cheatle resigned as head of the Secret Service ten days later. The agency also announced on Thursday that six Secret Service officers who were on duty during the attempt were suspended for ten to forty-two days.

According to the committee, two of the officials who were penalized got less severe penalties than what it had suggested, and more than six officials should have been disciplined. It brought attention to the fact that nobody was let go.

In a statement, current Secret Service Director Sean Curran said the agency has received the findings and will keep working with the committee.

“Following the events of July 13, the Secret Service took a serious look at our operations and implemented substantive reforms to address the failures that occurred that day,” Curran said.