Ladies and gentlemen, let’s dive into some unsettling news regarding the Secret Service’s handling of a recent incident involving former President Trump. This event occurred in Butler, Pennsylvania, and has raised significant concerns about the protocols and responses of the Secret Service.
Recently, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) released a report that highlighted several alarming issues. These included a lack of communication, the Secret Service missing a crucial meeting with local law enforcement on the morning of the event, and even the possibility of another shooter. Johnson also questioned to whom the pictures of the dead shooter were given and why First Lady Jill Biden had significantly more protection at her Pittsburgh event compared to Trump’s rally. Despite having thousands of attendees at his larger outdoor event, Trump only received three post-standers, while Biden had twelve.
On Monday, Secret Service head Kim Cheatle appeared before a bipartisan House Oversight Committee to address these concerns. However, her responses were less than satisfactory. Cheatle mainly deflected questions, repeating, “We’re investigating,” without providing substantial answers. It’s been nine days since the incident, yet there hasn’t been a comprehensive briefing as would typically occur in such high-profile cases.
Some Democrats attempted to shift the focus to unrelated issues like gun control, but others, like Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), asked pointed and critical questions. Krishnamoorthi’s interrogation highlighted broader problems with the Secret Service’s response and protocols.
Here’s a particularly intense exchange:
Krishnamoorthi noted that the shooter began firing at 6:11 PM on July 13th. Twenty minutes earlier, at 5:51 PM, state police had alerted the Secret Service about their concerns. Despite this, the rally wasn’t paused. Cheatle confirmed this, adding that two minutes after the initial alert, the Secret Service notified their snipers, yet the rally continued.
Rallygoers themselves noticed the shooter on the roof and were shouting out warnings. Krishnamoorthi challenged Cheatle’s assertion that this behavior wasn’t considered a threat. He pointed out that the shooter’s presence and the crowd’s reactions clearly indicated a threat. Cheatle maintained that the rally was only paused once the security detail recognized an actual threat.
Krishnamoorthi was incredulous, emphasizing that the man on the roof should have been recognized as a threat immediately, and the rally should have been paused to protect the former president. He showed a video clip, stating, “It’s two minutes before the shots started ringing out.”
The crux of Krishnamoorthi’s argument was that there were multiple points within those crucial 20 minutes when the threat could have been addressed. Cheatle’s responses suggested that the Secret Service didn’t view a man on a roof as an imminent threat, which raises serious questions about their protective protocols. This isn’t just about Trump’s safety but also about the safety of everyone under Secret Service protection.
Rep. Krishnamoorthi: “The shooter began shooting at 6:1PM on July 13th. NBC reported at 5:51 PM, 20 minutes before the shooting the state police informed the Secret Service of their concern. The rally was not paused at that point, correct?”
Cheatle: “No.” pic.twitter.com/Cpgoa2fhDN
— ForAmerica (@ForAmerica) July 22, 2024
After nine days, we still haven’t received a detailed briefing. The Secret Service only answered a few questions earlier in the week, leaving many unanswered. Given the gravity of these failures, some argue that Cheatle should resign. Even with some Democrats questioning her performance, her tenure as the head of the Secret Service might not last much longer.
Folks, this situation is alarming and highlights the need for a thorough review of the Secret Service’s procedures and responses to ensure the safety of all protected individuals.
