Former President Donald Trump faced a harrowing situation during a public appearance in Pennsylvania.
As the New York Post reported, Dan Bongino, a conservative radio host and former Secret Service agent, credited former President Donald Trump with saving his own life during an assassination attempt, criticizing the Secret Service for a "catastrophic" failure.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old gunman, initiated an armed assault positioned on a nearby roof. His location was approximately 130 yards from where Trump was speaking. Thanks to Trump's quick reflexes, he managed to evade serious injury, although he reported that a bullet grazed his ear.
The Secret Service, tasked with protecting the former president, scrambled to form a shield around him amidst the chaos. However, the agency's delayed response has come under fire from various quarters.
Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent, highlighted the gravity of the situation by criticizing the security protocols, referring to them as an "absolutely catastrophic" failure.
Local law enforcement spotted Crooks moments before the firing commenced but were unable to intervene in time to prevent the initial gunfire. Subsequent actions led to the neutralization of the threat by the Secret Service, details of which have remained largely undisclosed.
Criticism extends beyond the immediate response on the scene. Attention is now being directed towards the Secret Service's wider operational strategies. Republican Congressional members have expounded unfavorably on the agency’s current focus on diversity and inclusion programs, suggesting that such focus is a distraction from their primary law enforcement duties.
This security lapse has prompted a proposed legislative review aimed at bolstering the agency’s resources and refocusing its priorities. Looming Congressional hearings hope to address these concerns directly with the Secret Service director.
In response to the criticism, Secret Service spokesperson Guglielmi defended the agency's performance and the innovations they've integrated, such as enhanced technology and training improvements, focusing on "added technology and increased training."
Dan Bongino expressed frustration on behalf of the former president. He emphasized the seriousness of the incident and questioned the effectiveness of current protocols, stressing the primary job of the agency: "Your job is to keep the president alive."
Former President Trump, reflecting on the incident, conveyed his dissatisfaction with the evacuation process, feeling it was not executed properly. This sentiment fuels the broader discontent regarding the effectiveness and focus of his protective detail.
During a public appearance in Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump narrowly avoided serious injury in an assassination attempt. Conservative radio host and former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino credited Trump with saving his own life by quickly ducking, criticizing the Secret Service for a "catastrophic" failure.
The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired from a nearby roof about 130 yards away, grazing Trump's ear. The incident has led to scrutiny of the Secret Service's protocols and a proposed legislative review to address security concerns.
