Secret Service Denied Extra Security Before Trump Rally Shooting
- Secret Service top officials discouraged agents from requesting extra security for a Trump rally in Butler, Pa.
- A whistleblower revealed that a department handling security requests advised against additional manpower.
- The lack of extra security measures may have contributed to a near-fatal incident at the rally.
In a recent development regarding security measures at a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump, Senator Josh Hawley has raised serious concerns about the Secret Service's handling of security assets. Hawley claims that a whistleblower has revealed that agents were instructed not to formally request additional security resources for the event in Butler, Pennsylvania, despite the potential risks. This contradicts Acting Director Ronald Rowe's testimony before the Senate, where he stated that all requested assets were approved. The whistleblower's allegations suggest that officials at the Secret Service's Office of Protective Operations preemptively informed the Pittsburgh field office that the rally would not receive extra security because Trump is a former president, not the incumbent. As a result, agents on the ground did not include requests for critical security measures, such as countersniper teams, in their manpower request. This lack of preparation culminated in a tragic incident where a gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was able to shoot into the crowd, resulting in one death and multiple injuries. In light of these allegations, five Secret Service agents, including a member of Trump’s personal protective team, have been placed on administrative leave. Hawley has called for further accountability, asserting that the failures in security extend beyond field agents to higher-level officials within the agency. The Secret Service has stated that it is cooperating with ongoing investigations and is working to address the influx of congressional inquiries related to the July 13th incident.