New texts between members of Beaver County emergency services in Pennsylvania show the challenges they faced due to being understaffed ahead of a rally for former President Trump earlier this month. The rally took a tragic turn when a would-be assassin shot him and others, resulting in the death of a spectator.
During a discussion among team leaders at the emergency services, it was revealed that they were requested to assist with the rally in nearby Butler County where the event occurred. The texts highlighted the lack of available workers within the emergency services unit.
One leader mentioned that their team was already occupied with other responsibilities and could not allocate resources to work at the rally. The leader noted that 'everyone else is either working, on vacation, or hurt,' indicating the staffing challenges they were facing.
Records obtained by the office of Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, provided insights into the communication between the team leaders regarding the attempted assassination. The texts showed that the emergency services unit in Beaver County was approached to support Butler County with security for the Trump event just days before the rally.
A message sent to the team leaders on July 8 outlined the need for manpower for the event scheduled for July 13. The message indicated that approximately six individuals were required for a potential 12-hour detail, with the possibility of splitting the shift if necessary.
At one point, there was a discussion about the emergency services from Beaver County potentially being placed 'on call' instead of providing direct assistance at the event in Butler County. This decision was likely influenced by the staffing constraints faced by the emergency services unit.
