Senator Hawley probes Secret Service whistleblower claims on Trump safety

On September 15, a second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump occurred at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. A suspect allegedly aimed a gun at Trump through a fence, but the Secret Service intervened before any shots were fired. This incident follows a previous assassination attempt in July. Republican Senator Josh Hawley has raised concerns regarding the Secret Service's handling of security at the golf course, citing a whistleblower who claims that known vulnerabilities were not addressed during Trump's visit. The whistleblower, identified as a Secret Service agent who has previously protected Trump, alleged that the agency failed to implement standard security protocols, which typically involve positioning agents at vulnerable spots. Hawley emphasized that the gunman was allowed to remain near the fence line for approximately 12 hours without being detected. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the Secret Service's security measures during Trump's visit. In his letter to acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe, Hawley demanded immediate answers regarding the allegations and the agency's security practices. He expressed frustration over the Secret Service's apparent tendency to shift blame to local law enforcement instead of taking responsibility for their protective duties. The senator's call for accountability highlights the serious implications of the agency's failure to ensure Trump's safety. Hawley did not specify a deadline for Rowe's response but urged for an immediate reply. The situation underscores the ongoing concerns about the security of high-profile individuals and the need for thorough investigations into the effectiveness of protective measures employed by the Secret Service.