At least six agents from the United States Secret Service have been suspended without pay, following their involvement in the security breaches that facilitated an assassination attempt on President Donald Trump last July in Butler, Pennsylvania. The penalties, impacting both line agents and supervisors, range from 10 to 42 days without salary, an agency official confirmed to NBC News.
The number of suspensions may increase as the internal investigation progresses, according to sources. Among those sanctioned is the special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh office, who was responsible for coordinating security at the rally with local law enforcement.
"The Secret Service is dedicated to scrutinizing the decisions and actions of the personnel involved and will impose disciplinary measures when violations are confirmed," stated Anthony Guglielmi, the agency's spokesperson, to Real Clear Politics. "We are examining the processes, procedures, and factors that led to this operational failure. (...) The Office of Professional Responsibility will investigate any identified and verified policy violations for potential disciplinary actions," he added.
The assassination attempt took place on July 13, when Thomas Matthew Crooks, aged 20, managed to position himself armed on an unsupervised rooftop just 137 meters from the stage where Trump was delivering a speech. The assailant opened fire, injuring Trump in the ear and killing firefighter Corey Comperatore. A Secret Service sniper neutralized Crooks seconds after the shooting began.
Lawmakers from both parties harshly criticized the Secret Service for the mistakes made before and during the attack, which federal authorities classified as a potential act of domestic terrorism. Under bipartisan pressure, Kimberly Cheatle resigned as the agency's director less than two weeks after the incident. Before stepping down, she publicly acknowledged her accountability for the security lapses.
A report released by the Secret Service in September outlined numerous errors, including failures in communication with local police, the use of unofficial channels (such as text messages and cell phones) for conveying critical information, and omissions in monitoring elevated positions like the rooftop from which the attacker fired. The report highlighted that agents spotted the suspect 20 minutes before the shooting but failed to act swiftly enough.
In December, a House of Representatives task force published a comprehensive 180-page report, concluding that the Butler assassination attempt was "preventable," though not attributable to any single decision or specific error. Among its 12 recommendations, it suggested recording all radio transmissions and establishing special protocols for high-risk situations.
In contrast, the report highlighted the Secret Service's successful handling of a second assassination attempt on Trump, which occurred in September in Florida and was thwarted thanks to an "effective and well-coordinated response."
The assassination attempt in Butler has significantly impacted U.S. politics and national security, exposing vulnerabilities in the protection protocols for public figures, even during pre-planned and monitored events.
Key Questions About the Secret Service's Response to the Trump Assassination Attempt
What led to the Secret Service suspending agents?
The Secret Service suspended agents due to their involvement in security lapses that allowed an assassination attempt on President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. The suspensions are part of the agency's internal investigation into these failures.
Who is Thomas Matthew Crooks?
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was the assailant in the July assassination attempt on President Trump. He managed to position himself on an unsupervised rooftop near Trump's rally and opened fire, injuring Trump and killing a firefighter before being neutralized by a Secret Service sniper.
What were the findings of the Secret Service report on the attack?
The Secret Service report identified multiple errors, such as inadequate communication with local police, use of unofficial communication channels, and failures to monitor key positions. The report emphasized that agents noticed the suspect 20 minutes prior to the incident but did not act promptly.
How did the Secret Service respond to the second assassination attempt in Florida?
The Secret Service successfully thwarted a second assassination attempt on President Trump in Florida through an effective and coordinated response, which was praised in a subsequent report.