A bipartisan Senate investigation has uncovered multiple Secret Service failures leading up to the July rally for former President Donald Trump, where a gunman opened fire. The report, released Wednesday, stated that these failures were 'foreseeable, preventable, and directly related to the events resulting in the assassination attempt that day.'
The investigation found deficiencies in planning, communications, security, and resource allocation. It highlighted the lack of a clear chain of command among security agencies, leading to missed communications and inadequate coverage of the building where the shooter positioned himself.
Two minutes before the shooting, the Secret Service was notified about an individual on the building's roof, but this information was not effectively relayed to key personnel. The report also revealed that an armed individual alert was sent just 22 seconds before the gunman fired, but it did not reach the necessary Secret Service officials.
Furthermore, a Secret Service counter-sniper witnessed officers approaching the building but failed to take action to remove Trump from the stage. The report emphasized the need for better-defined roles and responsibilities before protective events, suggesting a designated individual to approve all security plans.
Communication breakdowns with local authorities were also highlighted, with conflicting accounts regarding security coverage responsibilities. The report recommended an overhaul of the Secret Service's communications operations and improved intelligence sharing.
The agency's internal review acknowledged multiple failures, including line-of-sight vulnerabilities and complacency among agents. The Secret Service's acting director expressed accountability for the July 13th failures and emphasized the importance of learning from the incident.
Senators proposed evaluating the need for additional resources for the Secret Service, with a spending bill including $231 million for the agency. However, some Republicans argued that an internal overhaul should precede any increase in funding, labeling the issue as a management problem.
