Agency identifies communication breakdowns, Secret Service ‘complacency’ as factors in first Trump assassination attempt
The acting Secret Service director announced that Trump is currently receiving the same level of protection as Biden and Harris.
TroibNews 
A report released by the Secret Service on Friday attributes the failure to prevent a shooting at a Pennsylvania rally for Donald Trump in July to issues such as communication breakdowns, technical problems, and “complacency” among the advance team members.
During a press conference, Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe indicated that an unspecified number of personnel will face consequences for the security lapses that resulted in one death and injuries to the former president and two other individuals. However, he refrained from elaborating on the potential repercussions.
Rowe emphasized the need for a “paradigm shift” to enhance the agency’s agility in safeguarding the nation's highest officials. He cautioned that the agency is currently “burning through a lot of assets and resources” as it provides Trump with protection akin to that of the sitting president and vice president, urging for increased support.
“We are not capitalizing on a crisis,” Rowe stated. “We have finite resources, and we are stretching those resources to their maximum right now.”
The Butler shooting significantly unsettled Trump’s campaign and resulted in weeks of criticism directed at the Secret Service for their failure to adequately protect the former president. Following the security breach, former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned after facing sharp criticism during a hearing before the House Oversight Committee.
The five-page summary from the Secret Service is part of a broader investigation into the Pennsylvania shooting, which is also being reviewed by the Department of Homeland Security and Congress.
This scrutiny of the elite protection agency has intensified following a potential second assassination attempt against Trump at his Florida golf club earlier this month. Trump acknowledged the Secret Service’s response during that incident, but his initial praise after the Butler event has shifted to concerns over the agency’s shortcomings.
According to the findings from the ongoing investigation, it was recognized that the chosen rally site, the Butler Farm Show grounds, presented significant security “challenges.” The report identified “deficiencies” in communication between law enforcement agencies, pointing out that some local officers were unaware of the two communication centers situated on the grounds and that the Secret Service was not receiving local police radio transmissions.
“The failure of personnel to broadcast via radio the description of the assailant, or vital information received from local law enforcement regarding a suspicious individual on the roof of the AGR complex, to all federal personnel at the Butler site inhibited the collective awareness of all Secret Service personnel,” the report stated.
Additionally, the report highlighted concerns raised by multiple law enforcement agencies regarding the local tactical team stationed on the second floor of the building where the shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, aimed at Trump. This team had not communicated with the Secret Service prior to the rally, and there was no follow-up discussion about adjusting their position. Furthermore, there was no consultation regarding the possibility of positioning local snipers on the roof.
Authorities killed Crooks shortly after he opened fire, and the motive behind the shooting remains unclear.
The report also referenced “technical difficulties” with the drone system, which could have identified Crooks earlier in the day had it been operational.
Rowe, who took charge of the agency following Cheatle’s resignation, confirmed that Trump is now receiving the same level of protection as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Security has similarly been raised for Ohio Senator JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is Harris’ running mate.
However, Rowe indicated that the agency is in need of additional personnel, technical resources, and equipment, though he did not disclose a specific monetary request amid ongoing Congressional discussions about additional funding.
Rowe mentioned that the agency is on track to hire over 400 special agents before the end of the fiscal year, a critical initiative in light of the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, which the Secret Service will be tasked with securing.
“I do believe that we are going to meet this” manpower challenge, Rowe stated. “We have no choice.”
Josh Gerstein contributed to this report, with additional material sourced from The Associated Press.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
During a press conference, Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe indicated that an unspecified number of personnel will face consequences for the security lapses that resulted in one death and injuries to the former president and two other individuals. However, he refrained from elaborating on the potential repercussions.
Rowe emphasized the need for a “paradigm shift” to enhance the agency’s agility in safeguarding the nation's highest officials. He cautioned that the agency is currently “burning through a lot of assets and resources” as it provides Trump with protection akin to that of the sitting president and vice president, urging for increased support.
“We are not capitalizing on a crisis,” Rowe stated. “We have finite resources, and we are stretching those resources to their maximum right now.”
The Butler shooting significantly unsettled Trump’s campaign and resulted in weeks of criticism directed at the Secret Service for their failure to adequately protect the former president. Following the security breach, former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned after facing sharp criticism during a hearing before the House Oversight Committee.
The five-page summary from the Secret Service is part of a broader investigation into the Pennsylvania shooting, which is also being reviewed by the Department of Homeland Security and Congress.
This scrutiny of the elite protection agency has intensified following a potential second assassination attempt against Trump at his Florida golf club earlier this month. Trump acknowledged the Secret Service’s response during that incident, but his initial praise after the Butler event has shifted to concerns over the agency’s shortcomings.
According to the findings from the ongoing investigation, it was recognized that the chosen rally site, the Butler Farm Show grounds, presented significant security “challenges.” The report identified “deficiencies” in communication between law enforcement agencies, pointing out that some local officers were unaware of the two communication centers situated on the grounds and that the Secret Service was not receiving local police radio transmissions.
“The failure of personnel to broadcast via radio the description of the assailant, or vital information received from local law enforcement regarding a suspicious individual on the roof of the AGR complex, to all federal personnel at the Butler site inhibited the collective awareness of all Secret Service personnel,” the report stated.
Additionally, the report highlighted concerns raised by multiple law enforcement agencies regarding the local tactical team stationed on the second floor of the building where the shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, aimed at Trump. This team had not communicated with the Secret Service prior to the rally, and there was no follow-up discussion about adjusting their position. Furthermore, there was no consultation regarding the possibility of positioning local snipers on the roof.
Authorities killed Crooks shortly after he opened fire, and the motive behind the shooting remains unclear.
The report also referenced “technical difficulties” with the drone system, which could have identified Crooks earlier in the day had it been operational.
Rowe, who took charge of the agency following Cheatle’s resignation, confirmed that Trump is now receiving the same level of protection as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Security has similarly been raised for Ohio Senator JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is Harris’ running mate.
However, Rowe indicated that the agency is in need of additional personnel, technical resources, and equipment, though he did not disclose a specific monetary request amid ongoing Congressional discussions about additional funding.
Rowe mentioned that the agency is on track to hire over 400 special agents before the end of the fiscal year, a critical initiative in light of the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, which the Secret Service will be tasked with securing.
“I do believe that we are going to meet this” manpower challenge, Rowe stated. “We have no choice.”
Josh Gerstein contributed to this report, with additional material sourced from The Associated Press.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
