In a report released by an Independent Review Panel, serious security failures were identified in the U.S. Secret Service’s handling of the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The report highlights critical lapses in security protocols, communication breakdowns, and a lack of preparedness, calling for “fundamental reforms” within the Secret Service.
The attempt on Trump’s life occurred during a campaign rally at Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a lone gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was able to bypass security and fire eight rounds before being neutralized by a Secret Service countersniper. The attack claimed the life of one rallygoer, Corey Comperatore, and injured ten others, including local law enforcement officers and Secret Service personnel.
Key Failures Identified in the Report
The report outlines a range of specific failures leading to the near-fatal incident, including:
- Personnel Shortages: The absence of sufficient personnel to secure key areas such as the AGR building, which provided the attacker a clear line of sight to the stage where Trump was speaking, was deemed a critical failure.
- Communication Issues: The Secret Service’s communication structure was fragmented. The “Security Room,” where key decisions were made, was physically and electronically separated from local law enforcement’s communication post, delaying the flow of critical information.
- Failure to Mitigate Threats: Despite spotting Crooks approximately 90 minutes before the attack, law enforcement failed to track or neutralize him before he opened fire.
- Technological Failures: The Secret Service’s Counter Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS), designed to detect drones, failed during a crucial period, allowing the assailant to fly a drone for reconnaissance without being detected.
- Failure in Leadership: The panel cited a lack of clarity regarding who had overall command of the site’s security, exacerbating the disorganization that led to the assassination attempt.
Deeper Concerns and Systemic Issues
The report also pointed to broader, systemic issues that require immediate attention:
- Cultural and Resource Challenges: The panel criticized the Secret Service’s “do more with less” mentality, which it found pervasive across the agency. This under-resourcing has led to overworked personnel and an erosion of critical thinking in high-risk situations.
- Lack of Coordination: There was insufficient coordination between the Secret Service, state, and local law enforcement, contributing to the failure to respond adequately to the unfolding situation.
- Training Deficiencies: The panel found that Secret Service agents spend minimal time training for their core protective missions, particularly during election years, when agents are frequently pulled away from training for fieldwork.
Recommendations for Reform
The panel offered a series of targeted recommendations to prevent future failures, with a deadline for implementation set for March 31, 2025. Key recommendations include:
- Improved Command and Communication Structures: Implementing a real-time incident command system that integrates communications between federal, state, and local law enforcement.
- Enhanced Technology: Upgrading surveillance technologies and ensuring that systems like CUAS are fully operational and modernized.
- Leadership Changes: The panel recommended bringing in new leadership with experience outside of the Secret Service to guide the necessary cultural and operational shifts.
- Increased Training: The Secret Service should prioritize and increase training time for its agents, particularly in risk-based threat identification and protective extraction methods.
- Risk-Based Resource Allocation: The panel emphasized the need for the Secret Service to adopt a more risk-based approach to deploying resources, rather than relying on formulaic staffing based solely on a protectee’s title.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas expressed his gratitude to the panel for their thorough review, stating:
“We are grateful to the members of the bipartisan Independent Review Panel and their staff for their in-depth examination of the security failures that led to the July 13, 2024 assassination attempt on the former President and the loss of life and casualties suffered. The members of the Independent Review Panel are highly accomplished individuals with extensive security and law enforcement backgrounds, and the U.S. Secret Service’s protection mission will benefit greatly from their recommendations.”
He also underscored the Department’s commitment to fully consider the panel’s findings, acknowledging that the necessary actions are already being taken to address both the immediate and systemic issues uncovered by the investigation. He commended the leadership of Acting Director Rowe, who has proactively initiated security enhancements.
Moving Forward
The report concludes with a stern warning that without immediate reforms, the risks of future incidents remain high. While acknowledging the bravery and dedication of the thousands of men and women who serve in the Secret Service, the panel stated unequivocally that the agency requires “fundamental reform” to continue fulfilling its “no-fail” mission.
The panel urged Congress and the White House to support the necessary changes in leadership, budgeting, and resource allocation to ensure the Secret Service is capable of adapting to today’s increasingly complex threat environment.