A congressional investigation into the assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald Trump at a campaign rally last year has sharply criticized the Secret Service for a series of “inexcusable” security failures and called for stronger disciplinary actions.
The incident occurred on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a gunman opened fire at a campaign event, grazing Trump’s ear. One bystander was killed, and two others were injured before the attacker, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was fatally shot by a government sniper.
“What happened was inexcusable, and the consequences imposed so far do not reflect the severity of the situation,” stated a report released Sunday by the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
While the report did not reveal new information about Crooks’ motives, which remain unclear, it condemned the Secret Service for “a cascade of preventable failures that nearly cost President Trump his life.”
“The United States Secret Service failed to act on credible intelligence and failed to coordinate with local law enforcement,” said Republican Senator Rand Paul, chair of the committee. “Despite those failures, no one has been fired.”
“It was a complete breakdown of security at every level—fueled by bureaucratic indifference, lack of clear protocols, and a shocking refusal to act on direct threats. We must hold individuals accountable and ensure reforms are fully implemented so this never happens again.”
The Secret Service acknowledged communication gaps, technical problems, and human errors. In response, the agency has launched reforms, including improved coordination among law enforcement agencies and the establishment of a specialized division focused on aerial surveillance.
Six unnamed staff members have been disciplined with suspensions ranging from 10 to 42 days without pay. All have been reassigned to restricted or non-operational roles.
Reflecting on the attempt in a recent interview with his daughter-in-law Lara Trump on Fox News’ “My View with Lara Trump,” Trump said “mistakes were made” but expressed satisfaction with how the investigation was handled.
“The sniper was able to get him from a long distance with one shot. If he didn’t do that, you would have had an even worse situation,” Trump said.
Describing the tense moments, he added, “It was unforgettable. I didn’t know exactly what was going on. I got whacked. There’s no question about that. And fortunately, I got down quickly. People were screaming.”
