US Secret Service takes ‘full responsibility’ for Trump shooting security failures

While addressing the crowd at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last month, a bullet grazed the former president’s ear as shots rang out. The incident resulted in one person being killed and several others injured. Officials reported that 20-year-old Thomas Crooks fired the shots with an AR-15-style rifle and that he was subsequently shot and killed by law enforcement snipers.

The agency is conducting an internal investigation, with disciplinary action and procedural changes expected if necessary.

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Rowe said the Secret Service had no knowledge of the shooter’s gun until shots were fired. He acknowledged failures in communication and surveillance but clarified that local law enforcement was not to blame.

Speculation had suggested local police should have prevented the attack or warned federal agents. Rowe noted that local police did report a man on the roof, but the message did not reach the Secret Service. Federal agents were not at the local command post.

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The shooter had researched President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and used a drone before attacking Trump.

Also read | Former President Trump escapes assassination bid. There is a disturbing history of targeting top US leaders

“We want to deter people from even thinking about doing something like this again,” Rowe said.

US Secret Service takes ‘full responsibility’ for Trump shooting security failures

Rowe, who replaced Kimberly Cheatle after she resigned from the post, stated that local police in Pennsylvania should not be held responsible for security failures leading up to the assassination attempt on Trump and "This was a Secret Service failure."