Secret Service agents failed to take charge of decision-making for security at the Butler, Pennsylvania, rally where former President Donald Trump was shot in July, a bipartisan Senate committee revealed in a new report Wednesday. The report highlighted key lapses in preparation and communication that day, citing interviews with top Secret Service officials and local law enforcement.
The failures were deemed 'foreseeable, preventable,' with many identified problems remaining unaddressed by the Secret Service. Some of the issues included the failure to set up visual barriers around the rally that could have obstructed the shooter's view, the lack of a plan to secure the building from which the shooter took aim, and chaotic communication regarding the shooter's movements.
Resource requests were denied or not made, with the absence of a requested surveillance team to patrol the rally, contrasting with the presence of such a team at First Lady Jill Biden's event. The lack of an effective chain of command was evident during interviews, with confusion over decision-making responsibilities.
Security planning for the rally lacked clarity on inner and outer perimeters, leading to disagreements on who was ultimately responsible for key decisions. Only two 'official' meetings were held before the event, with interactions described as 'informal.'
Decisions on positioning rental trucks to obstruct Trump's line of sight and unclear communication protocols further compounded the issues. Disagreements among agents persisted on responsibilities, setup of the operations room, and communication with local officers.
The lack of a clear entity to oversee securing the building where the shooter fired from became a critical issue during the emergency. Miscommunication between Secret Service agents and local officials regarding building security further exacerbated the situation.
Ultimately, the breakdown in communication and lack of clear leadership led to lapses in security measures, including the failure to sweep the building prior to the rally. The report highlighted the need for improved coordination, decision-making processes, and communication protocols within the Secret Service to prevent similar security breaches in the future.
