An assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania has ignited a blame game between local law enforcement and the Secret Service.
Local officials are outraged, accusing the Secret Service of failing to secure the event and then deflecting responsibility.
The tension between the Secret Service and local Pennsylvania law enforcement has reached a boiling point following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a rally. A cop in Butler told DailyMail.com that the Secret Service "threw us under the bus." The Secret Service claimed that any security concerns outside the perimeter of Trump's rally were the responsibility of local law enforcement.
According to a local officer, the Secret Service had met with local agencies a month prior to the event, providing detailed instructions. Despite these preparations, local officers reported that the Secret Service left them to address security gaps at the event. Butler Township Commissioner Edward Natali accused the Secret Service of "covering their own backsides."
Natali was emphatic that the Butler Township Police Department had no security detail for the event, with only seven officers assigned to traffic detail. He expressed his dismay on Facebook, calling out the misinformation and the finger-pointing that followed the incident. The commissioner was particularly incensed by the Secret Service's attempts to shift blame in the aftermath of the shooting.
During the rally, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks opened fire on Trump, who narrowly avoided a fatal shot by turning his head at the last moment, resulting in a clipped ear. Trump was swiftly taken off the stage by Secret Service agents. The Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle acknowledged the security failure in an interview with ABC, describing it as "unacceptable."
Cheatle confirmed that snipers were not placed on a sloped roof of the AGR building, where Crooks took his shot. Local law enforcement criticized Cheatle's explanation, comparing it to the more secure measures taken during a 2020 rally. A retired Beaver County law enforcement official and a former top Beaver County official criticized the decision not to place snipers on the sloped roof.
The last picture of Thomas Crooks was circulated to law enforcement as a suspicious sighting at the rally. Snipers were set up on rooftops overlooking the rally, but local SWAT teams, including Beaver County's, had to fill in gaps for the Secret Service. Communication breakdowns were noted between different law enforcement agencies due to separate radio frequencies.
Trump, appearing with a bandaged ear at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, highlighted the severity of the incident. A Butler Township Police Department patrolman who confronted Crooks fell and broke his ankle. The officer has since been hailed as a "hero" by the force's acting chief.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has been subpoenaed to appear before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee. The committee aims to investigate the lapses in security and the accusations of blame-shifting that followed the incident. Cheatle's testimony could shed light on the internal decision-making processes and the coordination with local law enforcement.
A retired Beaver County law enforcement official expressed frustration over the Secret Service's reliance on local officers. He recalled more secure measures taken during previous high-profile visits, including those of Vice President Pence. The official criticized the decision-making and resource allocation for Trump's rally.
Back then they had so many snipers. They were all over the place. Everywhere you looked. It was the most secure place on the planet. And this time they only have four because of sloping roofs and they still try to pass the buck to the locals?
The assassination attempt on Trump and the ensuing blame game has exposed significant issues in event security coordination. The incident has sparked outrage among local officials who feel abandoned by the Secret Service. As investigations continue, the need for improved communication and resource allocation in high-risk scenarios is clear. The House Oversight Committee's inquiry into the matter will be crucial in addressing these concerns. The safety of public figures and the accountability of protective agencies remain paramount.
