ECNETNews Report: Bipartisan House Task Force Highlights Secret Service Failures in Trump Assassination Attempt
WASHINGTON – During a pivotal hearing on Thursday, members of a bipartisan House task force addressed the alarming security failures surrounding the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania. They underscored that it was the Secret Service’s lack of planning and communication — not local law enforcement — that allowed the assailant to open fire during a rally on July 13.
Lawmakers expressed concerns over the agency’s inadequate communication with local authorities regarding security measures for the event, stressing that a building considered a security threat was left vulnerable. Gunman Thomas Michael Crooks exploited this lapse to gain access and fire upon Trump.
"There were security failures on multiple fronts," remarked Rep. Mike Kelly, the committee’s Republican co-chair. Rep. Jason Crow, the leading Democrat on the panel, echoed concerns about the disorganized exchange of information between the Secret Service and local law enforcement, commending local police for their efforts.
The incident resulted in Trump sustaining injuries and the tragic death of a man attending the rally.
The task force, comprising seven Republicans and six Democrats, has been rigorously examining the security missteps at the rally over the past two months. Their investigation has involved numerous interviews with law enforcement and an extensive review of up to 2,800 pages of documents from the Secret Service.
With an eye on a second assassination attempt involving another gunman, the panel focused primarily on the shooting incident during Thursday’s hearings, featuring testimony from local police officials.
Lawmakers criticized the Secret Service for its reliance on local agencies to manage security at significant events and highlighted how communication failures undermined its operations during the Butler rally.
One focal point of the discussion was the absence of law enforcement personnel on a building near the rally stage, which provided a clear vantage point for the attacker. Rep. Pat Fallon pointed out that even a cursory analysis of satellite imagery would have indicated the potential threat posed by that location.
Edward Lenz, commander for the Butler County Emergency Services Unit, stated that his team was not directed to deploy snipers on the roof of the AGR building, despite the identified risks. Lenz indicated that the Secret Service had not sought confirmation of his team’s setup before Trump took the stage, revealing pre-existing gaps in emergency communication protocols.
Witnesses further noted prior discussions about using barriers to obstruct visibility to the stage, though the fate of those suggestions remains unclear.
Lawmakers also scrutinized the coordination issues between agencies, questioning the rationale behind operating two separate command posts rather than a unified one for better communication. A retired Secret Service agent asserted that a singular command structure is essential for effective operations.
The testimony highlighted an overall lack of coherent communication that ultimately left room for the assailant to act without interruption.
This hearing marks the fourth congressional session dedicated to the Butler shooting since July, following the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who faced intense scrutiny for the agency’s failures. She referred to the incident as the Secret Service’s "most significant operational failure" in decades.
An interim Senate report substantiated claims that the Secret Service did not provide adequate instructions for local law enforcement regarding security coverage; it also noted a failure to facilitate real-time information sharing.
Currently led by Acting Director Ronald Rowe, the Secret Service has acknowledged its responsibility in this matter, admitting to lapses in communication and the need for improved collaboration with local and state agencies.
The House panel is poised to recommend several legislative reforms and is expected to release a final report by December 13. While there is bipartisan support for oversight, disagreements persist regarding increased funding for the Secret Service, despite an inclusion of $231 million in a recent government funding bill. Many remain cautious, advocating for a thorough internal overhaul based on the agency’s operational failures.
