It has taken some time, but it finally appears as though some Secret Service agents have been held responsible for the breakdown in protection in Butler, Pennsylvania last summer that nearly led to the assassination of then-candidate Donald Trump.
On July 13, 2024, Thomas Matthew Crooks nearly killed Trump during a campaign event, even though agents could have stopped him numerous times before those shots were fired.
While the previous administration failed to hold anyone accountable, reports are now breaking that six agents were suspended.
The attempt on Trump’s life took place at the Butler Farm Show Grounds last July.
Prior to Trump’s appearance, Crooks was seen walking around taking range readings, but he was never taken into custody. He was seen checking out buildings, and he was even seen by a spectator climbing onto the roof of one of them with his weapon.
At any point, the event could have been canceled or delayed, or Crooks could have been taken in for questioning as a precautionary measure, but nothing was ever done.
And that does not even take into account the security coverage issues, as well as what took place once the shots were fired and Trump was hit. Believe me, there is more than enough blame to go around on this one.
This week, a report broke that Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn confirmed the suspensions of six agents, ranging from 10 to 42 days, for their failings during the event.
Quinn stated, "Secret Service is totally accountable for Butler. Butler was an operational failure, and we are focused today on ensuring that it never happens again."
In addition to the lapses mentioned above, there were also questions about the coverage provided to Trump after the shooting. One agent bailed, and another agent went for Trump’s shoe, leaving his upper torso exposed while they were trying to move him to safety.
I have a lot of contacts in the FBI who also know people in the Secret Service, and every single one of them was stunned by the failings in the protection of someone who was both a presidential candidate and a former president.
The agency is trying to move forward with better training, and it took a major step in that direction this week by acquiring a recently decommissioned Marine One helicopter.
Agents will use the Sikorsky VH-3D at the Rowley Training Center in Maryland for training on presidential protection details.
Secret Service Deputy Special Agent in Charge Troy Sarria stated, “To get the ‘new’ Marine One helicopter, Deputy Chief Mike Jazwiecki initiated a conversation that led to our partnership and relationship with the Presidential Helicopter[s] Program (PMA-274). We worked with their current commander, [Marine] Col. [Alex] Ramthun, and their lead maintenance officer, Matt Cooper, in order to get this new aircraft.”
I really hope the leadership continues down this path because right now, I don’t think many of us have faith in the Secret Service's ability to protect the president against a coordinated attack. At least two amateurs have tried to take Trump out in the last year, and one of them came within an inch of ending his life. There is no room for error here, so the Secret Service had better get its act together.